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
What It Really Takes to Buy Your First Hotel in 90 Days | Jacobo Hernandez E53
When most people say they want to buy a hotel, it’s just talk.
Jacobo Hernandez sold his entire $10M short-term rental portfolio, packed his car, and hit the road for 90 days to find one.
He toured 35 hotels, underwrote 2,000 deals, and slept in random motels across the U.S. before discovering a hidden gem, a 59-room hotel on 10 acres in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, for just $1.2 million.
Now he’s turning it into Forest Springs Hotel & Spa, a wellness-focused retreat with saunas, cold plunges, and outdoor cinemas funded by investors who believed in his vision.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- The exact framework he used to identify hot markets and good deals
- How storytelling and video marketing helped him raise $2.5M+ in capital in weeks
- Why focusing on unique, experiential assets can help investors stand out and command higher ADRs
This episode is super interesting and shows what can happen when you go all in!
About Jacobo
Jacobo Hernandez is the founder and CEO of FreedomVest Capital and managing partner at The Vesta Group, where he specializes in transforming undervalued real estate into high-performing boutique hotels and short-term rentals. With expertise in acquisitions, revenue management, and digital marketing, Jacobo has built multimillion-dollar portfolios that merge design-driven hospitality with investor-focused returns. He’s also the author of Short-Term Rental Secrets, a guide to scaling and exiting rental portfolios through data, SEO, and systems. Passionate about education and impact, Jacobo now teaches entrepreneurs how to build scalable hospitality businesses that generate both financial freedom and exceptional guest experiences.
Connect with Jacobo
Website: https://thespringsretreat.space/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobo-hernandez-747299128/
Instagram: @_jacobohernandez_
Tiktok: @jacobohernandez_official
Connect with Michael:
Invest with Malama Capital: malama-capital.com/invest
Submit a deal: https://www.malama-capital.com/deal-submission
Instagram: @the_hotel_investor_playbook
Contact Us: info@hotelinvestorplaybook.com