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
Why 2026 Looks Rocky for U.S. Hotels And Where Smart Investors Can Hit Big | Jan Freitag E50
Where is the hotel market headed in 2026, and how can investors succeed in a challenging environment?
This week on the Hotel Investor Playbook, we sat down with Jan Freitag, National Director of Hospitality Analytics at CoStar. With over 30 years of experience analyzing hotel performance data, Jan is one of the most respected voices in the industry.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- How to use data and analytics to spot opportunities others overlook
- Why conviction and strong operations can outperform market averages
- How investors can protect margins as costs continue to rise
- Why the sub-$10M space stays active and how to play in it wisely
If you want to understand how smart investors can win even in a challenging market, this is the episode you need.
Follow and share the Hotel Investor Playbook so more people can learn how to invest in hospitality assets the right way.
About Jan
Jan Freitag is the National Director of Hospitality Analytics at CoStar Group, where he provides industry-leading insights on hotel performance, market trends, and investment opportunities. With nearly two decades at STR as Senior Vice President of Lodging Insights, Jan has become one of the most trusted voices in hospitality analytics, frequently cited by outlets like The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Bloomberg, and CNBC. His expertise helps investors, owners, and operators make data-driven decisions across acquisitions, funding, marketing, and operations. Jan is also a sought-after speaker and thought leader, known for translating complex data into actionable strategies for hospitality success.
Connect with Jan
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janfreitag/
Podcast: Tell Me More: A Hospitality Data Podcast
Jan's non-CoStar data set: I-92/APIS data https://lnkd.in/g-faxadX
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