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
Intuition, Joint Ventures, and Building Hotels That Last | Brandon Gore E45
Most hotel investors default to syndication — raising capital from dozens of limited partners and layering in complex waterfalls. But what if there’s a smarter, simpler path?
This week’s guest, Brandon Gore, is building The Outlier Hotel, a 10-cabin luxury retreat in Arkansas designed to last 100 years. Instead of chasing the traditional syndication model, he’s structuring the project as a joint venture — lowering pressure, creating strong cash flow, and unlocking tax advantages that limited partners usually can’t access.
In this episode, we dig into:
- How intuition plus data shaped Brandon’s decision to buy land on a hunch
- The financial model behind The Outlier (ADR, occupancy, and NOI)
- Why joint ventures can sometimes outperform syndications
- How accelerated depreciation makes this deal especially compelling
- What it takes to build hotels that align with your values and your legacy
This is part business case study, part lesson in trusting your instincts — and a rare look at how different deal structures can change the game for hospitality investors.
Follow and share the Hotel Investor Playbook so more people can learn how to invest in hospitality assets the right way.
About Brandon:
Brandon Gore is a designer, builder, and entrepreneur known for blending craftsmanship with innovation. He is the founder of Gore Design Co., Hard Goods, the Concrete Design School, and EarthForm Rammed Earth, where he has pioneered sustainable building with concrete and rammed-earth construction. Today, he is developing The Outlier Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas—a boutique property that reflects his vision for timeless design and lasting architecture. Brandon has also shared his expertise as a TEDx speaker, podcast host, and judge on the design competition show Framework.
Connect with Brandon:
Instagram:@outlierhotel & @hardgoodsco
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/goredesignco/
Website: Gore Design Co. & Brandon Gore
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