The Hotel Investor Playbook
Welcome to The Hotel Investor Playbook, hosted by real estate investors and hospitality experts Michael Russell and Nathan St Cyr. As the founders of Malama Capital and Howzit Hostels, Michael and Nathan have a wealth of experience in owning and operating boutique hotels, hostels, and other experiential lodging properties. With over $30 million in real estate investments, including short-term rentals, long-term rentals, commercial retail, and hospitality properties, they bring a unique perspective on how to turn passion-driven investments into financial freedom.
In this podcast, they share their roadmap for transitioning from traditional real estate investments to boutique hotels, offering listeners the insights and strategies needed to succeed in this niche market. Whether you're looking to learn about identifying the right property, managing operations, or understanding the financial complexities of boutique hotel ownership, The Hotel Investor Playbook has you covered.
Join Michael and Nathan each week as they document their journey towards building a $400 million real estate-based business and bring you along for the ride. Subscribe now and start turning your real estate investment dreams into reality.
The Hotel Investor Playbook
The Beginner's Guide To Building Wealth In Hospitality | Jonathan Mueller E43
Think you need a perfect plan to start investing in hospitality? Think again.
In this episode, we sit down with Jonathan Mueller, an everyday investor who went from zero experience and a failed multifamily deal to buying a $250K roadside motel and building a growing hospitality portfolio. He didn’t have a background in hotels, didn’t have much of a strategy, and still made it work through pure action, problem-solving, and a willingness to pivot.
You’ll learn:
- Why taking action beats waiting for the “perfect” plan
- How Jonathan raised $300K in 72 hours to close his RV park deal
- The pros and cons of buying motels vs RV parks as a beginner
- What to look for in seller financing and SBA loan terms
- Why chasing “shiny objects” can actually help you find your path
Whether you’re just getting started or stuck overthinking your first deal, this episode shows how to take imperfect action and learn as you go.
Follow and share the Hotel Investor Playbook so more people can learn how to invest in hospitality assets the right way.
About Jonathan:
Jonathan Mueller is a real estate investor and hospitality entrepreneur transforming neglected motels and campgrounds into vibrant community destinations. Alongside his family, he owns and operates two renovated motels and a 70-acre RV park, Camp Forest Haven, blending hands-on renovation with a guest-first approach. His journey from spotting opportunities on a casual drive to scaling multiple hospitality assets offers actionable lessons in sweat equity, creative repositioning, and building community-focused spaces that truly stand out.
Connect with Jonathan:
Website: https://campforesthaven.com/
Instagram: @mister_mox and @camp.forest.haven
Connect with Mike and Nate:
Invest with Mike & Nate: malama-capital.com/invest
Submit a deal: https://www.malama-capital.com/deal-submission
Instagram: @the_hotel_investor_playbook
Contact Us: info@hotelinvestorplaybook.com