Looking for hotel technology that can actually increase profit and reduce expenses without hiring an IT department?

This week on the Hotel Investor Playbook, Michael Russell sits down with Sue Graves, founder of Experience Alive, who has spent over 30 years in hospitality and now helps hotel owners implement practical, affordable tech solutions that make a real financial impact.

In this episode, you’ll discover several technology use cases you can implement today, including:

• Offload up to 50% of front desk calls through conversational AI
• Use delivery robots to run leaner night shifts and boost service speed
• Track linen and towels with RFID to cut losses and eliminate manual counts
• Build a sustainability story that supports better refinancing terms
• Plus more!

Whether you own a 50-room boutique hotel or manage a national brand, Sue shows how to make technology your competitive edge.

About Sue

Sue Graves is the Founder and CEO of Experience Alive, a hospitality technology consultancy helping hotels, restaurants, and convention centers modernize operations through AI-driven solutions, robotics, and guest personalization tools. With over 30 years of leadership experience at Marriott International and the Greater Columbus Convention Center, Sue brings a deep operational understanding to innovation in hospitality. As the founding chair of the Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association’s Innovation & Technology Committee, she has championed initiatives that boost efficiency, guest satisfaction, and staff retention across the industry. A recognized voice on the future of tech in hospitality, Sue continues to bridge the gap between emerging technologies and real-world hospitality challenges, empowering teams to deliver more human-centered, high-performing experiences.

Connect with Sue

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suegraves/

Website: http://Experiencealive.com

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

Ever dreamed of quitting your six-figure job to build real wealth through hotels? This episode shows you what it actually takes.

Tim Ensmann, founder of the T.C. Hotel Fund, shares how he went from tech sales to owning a multi-million-dollar boutique hotel portfolio in under five years. He reveals the sacrifices, systems, and strategies behind turning a $1.5M property into a $4.5M success story. He then shares how you can follow the same path without losing your sanity.

You’ll learn:

• The real moment he knew he couldn’t stay in corporate anymore
• How he used short-term rentals to bridge the gap from W2 to full-time investor
• What it costs (financially and emotionally) to leave a secure job for entrepreneurship
• How to identify the right first project for your goals

This is a step-by-step blueprint from someone who’s actually done what so many people dream of.

Follow and share the Hotel Investor Playbook so more people can learn how to invest in hospitality assets the right way.

About Tim

Tim Ensmann is the founder and managing partner of Boutique Hotel Fund, an investment platform that acquires and repositions boutique hotels across the United States. With a background in corporate sales and strategy, Tim transitioned from tech leadership roles into hospitality investing, where he now helps accredited investors build wealth through experiential real estate. His firm focuses on transforming underperforming properties into design-driven, story-led destinations that deliver both emotional impact and strong financial returns. Through his content and education platforms, Tim is redefining what modern hotel ownership looks like for a new generation of investors.

Connect with Tim

Email: tim@boutiquehotelfund.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tim-ensmann/

Website: boutiquehotelfund.com/

Instagram: @tim_ensmann and @boutiquehotelguy

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

Ever wonder where the money actually goes in a hotel deal?
In this episode, Michael Russell breaks down real estate syndications in plain English. How investors and operators really get paid, what fees are fair, and how to structure deals that build long-term trust.
Whether you’re looking to raise capital for your first project or invest passively, this is the playbook for understanding the math behind every syndication.
You’ll learn:

• The simple breakdown between LPs and GPs and how each gets paid
• How preferred returns, profit splits, and waterfalls actually work
• The most overlooked risk in syndications (and how to avoid it)
• How to structure deals that attract repeat investors
• Why clarity always beats complexity when raising capital

If you’ve ever wanted to peek behind the curtain of a hotel syndication, this episode will make everything finally click. Follow and share the Hotel Investor Playbook so more people can learn how to invest in hospitality assets the right way.

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