Boutique Hotel Secrets Podcast

In this episode, Adam and Micah pull back the curtain on the messy, motivating reality of renovating The Wesley Hotel — from a gut-punch one-star review to a new GC delivering three times the workload of the last team. They also dig into exciting new revenue experiments including a public pool, a local coffee truck partnership, and a smash burger food truck — plus what a triple net lease actually...

In this episode, Mitch Ely shares the scrappy story of how he went from owning a single Airbnb to buying and renovating two boutique motels in Door County, Wisconsin. We dive into his biggest renovation surprises, creative tech-driven guest experience hacks, and the mindset shift required to jump from residential short-term rentals into commercial hospitality. Connect with Mitch: Find him on Insta...

In this episode, Adam and Micah reflect on the hospitality lessons brought back from a two-week Italian honeymoon — and how Italian hoteliers set a standard that challenges everything they're building at the Wesley. They also pull back the curtain on a tough stretch of construction delays, the personnel moves they made to break the logjam, and why visible progress on site finally has them fee...

In this episode, Adam and Micah are joined by boutique hotel investor Mike Sjogren to cover everything from the realities of first-time hotel construction delays to a bold take on hotel marketing — including why you should stop spending paid ad dollars on brand awareness and let organic social do that work for you. Mike also drops breaking news on Hotel Turnkey, a brand-new done-for-you offer that...

In this episode, Adam and Micah pull back the curtain on the brutal gap between expectations and reality as they prepare for their first major holiday weekend at The Wesley — aiming for 20 newly renovated rooms, delivering 2. They also dig into their marketing strategy for driving direct bookings, why building an email list has real dollar value at exit, and how AI is reshaping how hotels reach gu...

In this episode, Adam and Micah pull back the curtain on the final stretch before opening newly renovated rooms at The Wesley — tackling everything from 18 pallets of tile and FF&E sticker shock to their first real advertising budget. They also share an honest reflection on whether staying partially open during renovation was the right call, and why they'd make a different decision for ho...

In this episode, Adam and Micah sit down with boutique hotel mentor Mike Sjogren to explore how AI is reshaping hospitality operations — from direct booking pages to revenue management — and why the operators who thrive will be the ones doubling down on human connection, not replacing it. They also dive into the Wesley's pre-launch strategy, the power of leveraging local community relationshi...

In this episode, Adam and Micah are joined by Rashmi Bhat — coach, restaurateur, and boutique hotel operator — to explore how independent hospitality owners can leverage AI not to replace their teams, but to free them up for the moments that actually matter. From automating influencer outreach and auditing P&Ls to using voice prompting in the car and walking the vendor floor at AAHOA, this con...

In this episode, Adam and Micah share the unfiltered reality of renovating a 50-room boutique hotel in Page, Arizona — from a viral mural drawing thousands of visitors to zero finished rooms and a $38,000 mortgage looming on the horizon. In this episode, they open up about the emotional and financial pressure of building in public, navigating contractor delays, investor tax surprises, and what it...

In this episode, Adam and Micah sit down with brand designer Kayla Morrill to unpack the full process of building a visual identity for The Wesley — from mood boards and font debates to a final brand kit that's now physically on the walls of their hotel in Page, Arizona. In this episode, they explore why great branding is about evoking emotion, why AI falls short, and what boutique hotel owne...

In this episode, Adam and Micah sit down with brand designer Kayla Morrill to unpack the full process of building a visual identity for The Wesley — from mood boards and font debates to a final brand kit that's now physically on the walls of their hotel in Page, Arizona. In this episode, they explore why great branding is about evoking emotion, why AI falls short, and what boutique hotel owne...

In this episode, Adam and Micah pull back the curtain on the messy middle of hotel ownership — from a tax filing that missed its deadline to a GM confrontation over staff pay that no one saw coming. They also share why they're commissioning a full-building mural in Page, Arizona, and the bold bet they're making that it becomes the most photographed spot in town. Connect with Micah: Insta...

In this episode, Adam Walls and Micah Thomas take you behind the scenes of transforming a boutique hotel in Page, Arizona. They dive into the real challenges of the process—from handling returns and managing material overages to finding creative ways to maximize space and elevate the guest experience. Packed with practical insights and hard-earned lessons, this episode is a must-listen for hospita...

In this episode of the Boutique Hotel Secrets podcast, hosts Adam and Micah, along with guest Rashmi Bhat, discuss the journey of transitioning from short-term rentals to boutique hotel management. They reflect on their experiences, share insights on hiring the right team, implementing effective marketing strategies, and the importance of social media in building a community around their brands. T...

In this episode, Adam and Micah share their journey of transitioning from short-term rentals to owning a hotel. They discuss the challenges faced during the closing process, the importance of understanding lender dynamics, and the necessity of effective communication with contractors. The conversation highlights the significance of teamwork, operational efficiency, and the emotional investment in...

In this episode of the Unofficial Boutique Hotel Secrets podcast, hosts Adam and Micah engage with guests Pete Milenkovich and Erich Schick, who share their journey from short-term rentals to boutique hotel ownership. They discuss their backgrounds, the challenges of finding the right deal, and the strategies they are implementing to create a unique boutique experience. The conversation also delve...

In this conversation, Jonathan St. Leger discusses the importance of creating opportunities in the real estate market rather than simply waiting for deals to come. He emphasizes the need for creativity in identifying value-add opportunities, whether through ground-up development or enhancing existing assets. Key considerations include zoning, density, and the potential for adding amenities or addi...

In this episode of the Boutique Hotel Secrets podcast, Adam and Micah discuss the journey of transitioning from short-term rentals to boutique hotels, emphasizing the ups and downs of the hospitality industry. They welcome Vincent Harris, who shares his story of moving from a W2 job to full-time entrepreneurship in real estate. The conversation highlights the importance of community, networking, a...

In this conversation, Mark discusses the critical role of direct bookings in the hospitality industry, emphasizing that a significant percentage of these bookings begin with searches on online travel agencies (OTAs) like Airbnb and Booking.com. He highlights the necessity for property owners to be prepared to capture these leads effectively. Furthermore, Mark addresses the risks associated with ov...

In this episode, Joel Weigel shares his journey from short-term rentals to building boutique hotels and experiential destinations. Learn how to acquire, operate, and scale properties while creating unforgettable guest experiences. Connect with Joel:   Find him on Instagram: @ joelweigle Loved this Episode? Connect with Micah: Instagram: micahinvests Tiktok: micahinvests1 Connect with Adam: Instagr...

In this episode, Isaac Oswaltshares his journey into boutique hotel investing and breaks down how capital, deal structure, and team alignment come together to close successful hotel acquisitions. He explains how investors and banks evaluate deals, why equity can be easier than debt, and the key metrics—like NOI, IRR, and equity multiples—that matter when scaling boutique hotels responsibly. Connec...

In this episode, Rashmi Bhat shares her journey from restaurants and short-term rentals into scaling boutique hotels. She breaks down hotel management as an entry point, building systems and teams, leveraging relationships, and why patience and saying “no” to most deals drive long-term success.  Connect with Rashmi:  Find her on Instagram: toastyindian , resohospitality   Connect with Micah: Insta...

In this episode, Adam  and Micah give a behind-the-scenes update on their boutique hotel renovation in Page, Arizona — navigating contractor delays, a wild on-property incident, and an exciting partnership with the local conservancy tied to the hotel's namesake, John Wesley Powell. They also reflect on the power of building in public and share how authentic social media storytelling is openin...

In this episode, Adam and Micah share raw, unfiltered updates from the renovation trenches—from navigating their first contractor draw that took two weeks instead of two days, to making over 3,600 decisions in just 33 days of ownership. They also announce their new role as official hosts of the Boutique Hotel Secrets podcast and reveal their strategy for a soft opening before the May 1st grand ope...

In this episode, Adam and Micah navigate their first $348K construction draw, deal with four flooded hotel bathrooms, confront the reality of maxed-out credit cards versus outsider perceptions of wealth, and explore community partnerships that could transform Page, Arizona's hospitality landscape. Connect with Micah: Instagram: micahinvests Tiktok: micahinvests1 Connect with Adam: Instagram:...