The Hotel Investor Playbook

• A Masterclass In Experiential Hospitality With The Bolt Farm Treehouse Founders | Tori and Seth Bolt E40

  Instead of chasing bookings, the founders behind Bolt Farm Treehouse create an obsession amongst their guests, and they do it with love at the center of everything. Their hospitality business heals relationships, attracts top-tier employees, and doesn't require the use of OTAsIn this episode, Seth and Tori Bolt break their iconic hospitality business where luxury stays meet emotional transformation.You’ll hear:How to design experiences that emotionally move your guestsWhy 100% of their bookings are direct, and how to do the sameHow they built a performance-based team culture rooted in loveHow they use AI to automate grunt work and scale high-touch momentsWhy their recruiting funnel brings in 12,000+ applicants a yearThis episode is your blueprint for turning a stay into a movement. About Seth & ToriBolt Farm Treehouse is a luxury adults-only mountaintop retreat founded by Seth and Tori Bolt, born from their honeymoon treehouse and built into an eight-figure hospitality brand. Nestled in Tennessee, the retreat offers high-end domes, mirror cabins, and treehouses designed for romance, reconnection, and escape into nature. Known for their viral marketing, soulful storytelling, and sustainable mission, Seth and Tori have created more than just a destination—they’ve crafted an experience that’s redefining luxury in the wild. Each stay supports tree-planting efforts and is packed with intentional design, curated moments, and heartfelt hospitality.Connect with Seth & ToriLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-bolt-73061790/Website: https://www.boltfarmtreehouse.com/IG:  @toribolt & @boltfarmtreehouseHave a deal?Send it to us: https://www.malama-capital.com/deal-submission Connect with Mike and Nate:Invest with Mike & Nate: malama-capital.com/invest Instagram: @the_hotel_investor_playbook Contact Us: [email protected]

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• $187M Hotel Portfolio by Age 30: How to Choose the Right Deals, Brands, and Ops Model | Sujay Mehta E39

  Thinking about buying or operating a hotel, but not sure where to start?Sujay Mehta built a $187M hospitality portfolio by betting on himself, starting lean, and learning through execution. In this episode, he breaks down what most people get wrong about hotel investing and how you can start smarter.You’ll learn:How to determine which hotel brand fits a deal bestHow the “Mamba Mentality” shaped his risk tolerance and executionWhat he learned by making his first deal a ground-up developmentWhether a boutique hotel can compete with Hilton in your marketHow to add real value to a flagged hotel without a massive renoWhy throwing away bacon could cost you $1M+ at exitThe case for self-management vs hiring a third-party operatorWhether you're analyzing your first hotel deal or looking to scale your portfolio, this one’s packed with tactical insights and real-world lessons.About SujaySujay Mehta is a hotel entrepreneur and real estate investor who built a $187M+ hospitality portfolio before turning 30. A former cancer researcher turned founder, Sujay leads Bloom Ventures—a Columbus-based investment firm focused on boutique and branded hotel development, ground-up builds, and value-add repositioning. He’s known for his creative capital strategies, operational insight, and commitment to hospitality with purpose. Through content, syndications, and strategic partnerships, Sujay helps others scale in the hotel space while staying grounded in family and mission.Connect with SujayLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sujay-mehta-b80411142/Website: https://bloom.ventures/ & https://www.kafafinancial.com/Instagram: @sujmehta , @kafafinancial & @hotelinvestoracademyHave a deal? Send it to us here:https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/28iLM67xiWWNkekg8ONtHave a deal?Send it to us: https://www.malama-capital.com/deal-submission Connect with Mike and Nate:Invest with Mike & Nate: malama-capital.com/invest Instagram: @the_hotel_investor_playbook Contact Us: [email protected]

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• Turning Passion into Profit in Rural Hospitality | Dave Cook E38

  What does it take to build a successful hospitality business in a small rural town, with no outside investors? Dave Cook, founder of Barn Door Hostel in Rumney, New Hampshire, walks us through his journey from hostel volunteer to hostel owner.We dive into:How he used sweat equity and personal savings to convert an old chicken coop into a thriving hostelHis research process on demand, shared economy trends, and local recreation patternsThe hidden cost of rural hospitality: zoning, septic, ADA, fire codes, and moreHow he fills beds year-round in a seasonal marketThe emotional toll and personal sacrifices that come with being a first-time hospitality operatorHis long-term outlook on scaling, balance, and defining success on your termsWhether you're dreaming of opening a hostel or just curious about rural hospitality investing, this one’s packed with hard-earned lessons.About DaveDave is the founder of Barn Door Hostel in Rumney, New Hampshire—a community-driven basecamp for climbers and adventurers, built from the ground up (literally, from a chicken coop). With over a decade of experience in hospitality, climbing gyms, and youth programming, he brings heart and intention to every guest experience. He's also a passionate advocate for access and stewardship, serving as a board member for the Rumney Climbers Association and a Ski Kind ambassador. Follow along as we dig into the journey behind Barn Door and the spirit of adventure it inspires.Connect with DaveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davefrombarndoorhostel/Website: https://www.barndoorhostel.com/Instagram: @barndoorhostelHave a deal? Send it to us here: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/28iLM67xiWWNkekg8ONtHave a deal?Send it to us: https://www.malama-capital.com/deal-submission Connect with Mike and Nate:Invest with Mike & Nate: malama-capital.com/invest Instagram: @the_hotel_investor_playbook Contact Us: [email protected]

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• Bootstrapped Hospitality: Scaling Your Hotel Portfolio Without Major Capital | Austin Phippen E37

  Today’s guest bought a roadside motel in a town of 900 people and turned it into a thriving hospitality brand.In this episode of the Hotel Investor Playbook, Mike and Nate sit down with Austin Phippen, a 26‑year‑old owner of Chama Trails Motel, a portfolio of 12 short-term rentals and a scenic wedding venue in Chama, New Mexico.What you’ll learn from this episode:The “Motel Hack” mindset: How Austin got in with seller financing and turned the motel into both home and businessScaling without overbuilding: Why he ran it “as-is” in year one and focused on reviews before renovationsBundling to build a team: How combining the motel, STRs, and a venue created enough revenue for full staffingRemote operations, done right: What you must know before investing in a rural town you don’t live inMarketing that works: Why Google reviews and great operations now drive over 85% of bookings directlyIf you’re serious about hospitality investing, especially in rural or seasonal markets, this episode is a must-listen masterclass in bootstrapping, brand-building, and sustainable growth.About AustinAustin and Karlee Phippen are the powerhouse couple behind Turquoise Antler Hospitality, a growing portfolio of boutique rentals, a 16-room motel, and a stunning wedding venue in Chama, New Mexico. Since launching in 2019, they've transformed a small-town motel into a thriving hospitality brand with a team of 20 and over a dozen co-hosted properties. With Austin’s background in construction and Karlee’s roots in hospitality, they’ve created unique stays that blend rustic charm with modern comfort. In this episode, they share how they scaled their business, built community partnerships, and navigated the wild world of rural hospitality.Connect with AustinEmail: [email protected]: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-phippen-730569124/Instagram: @chamavacationrentals and @phippenoutWebsite: https://chamavacationrentals.com/Have a deal? Send it to us here: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/28iLM67xiWWNkekg8ONtHave a deal?Send it to us: https://www.malama-capital.com/deal-submission Connect with Mike and Nate:Invest with Mike & Nate: malama-capital.com/invest Instagram: @the_hotel_investor_playbook Contact Us: [email protected]

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• Building a Scalable Outdoor Hospitality Brand Through Franchising | Brian Linton E36

  In this episode of the Hotel Investor Playbook, Mike and Nate sit down with Brian Linton, co-founder of Finding Promised Land, Camp Ferncrest, and The Rex Hotel. Brian shares how he transitioned from building a $20M apparel company to launching one of the fastest-growing outdoor hospitality brands in the U.S.Key Topics:How a rundown motel purchase during COVID led to a hospitality empireNavigating zoning issues, STR restrictions, and neighborhood pushbackWhat to look for in land: acreage, utilities, proximity to population, and state parksWhy owning your business outright may beat raising capitalHow Brian is using a franchise model to scale Ferncrest to 100+ sitesThe power of social media: growing to 350K+ followers and millions in revenueWhether you’re an investor, a landowner, or just glamping-curious, this episode is packed with insights on how to scale a meaningful hospitality business without sacrificing ownership or creativity.Got a deal you want to discuss? Send it our way here: https://link.apisystem.tech/widget/form/28iLM67xiWWNkekg8ONtAbout BrianBrian is the founder of Finding Promised Land, a hospitality and education company helping landowners turn underutilized land into profitable glamping retreats. After building United By Blue into a $20M sustainable apparel brand, he transitioned into outdoor hospitality with The Rex Hotel and Camp Ferncrest. Now focused on scaling Ferncrest through a franchise model, Brian is on a mission to make nature-based stays more accessible, profitable, and thoughtfully designed.Connect with BrianLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianlinton/Website: https://findingpromisedland.com/Instagram: @findingpromisedland & @campferncrestHave a deal?Send it to us: https://www.malama-capital.com/deal-submission Connect with Mike and Nate:Invest with Mike & Nate: malama-capital.com/invest Instagram: @the_hotel_investor_playbook Contact Us: [email protected]

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