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
$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 best
- How the “Mamba Mentality” shaped his risk tolerance and execution
- What he learned by making his first deal a ground-up development
- Whether a boutique hotel can compete with Hilton in your market
- How to add real value to a flagged hotel without a massive reno
- Why throwing away bacon could cost you $1M+ at exit
- The case for self-management vs hiring a third-party operator
Whether 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 Sujay
Sujay 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 Sujay
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sujay-mehta-b80411142/
Website: https://bloom.ventures/ & https://www.kafafinancial.com/
Instagram: @sujmehta , @kafafinancial & @hotelinvestoracademy
Have a deal? Send it to us here:
https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/28iLM67xiWWNkekg8ONt
Have 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: info@hotelinvestorplaybook.com