What does it really take to scale from your first hotel acquisition to managing a hospitality portfolio worth tens or even hundreds of millions?
In this episode, Michael and Nate sit down with Suraj Bhakta, CEO of NewGen Advisory, a leading hospitality brokerage with offices across 12 states and transactions in 44. Suraj brings over two decades of commercial real estate experience, having closed $850 million in hotel deals and facilitated nearly $500 million in capital raises. He’s also Chief Legal Counsel at NewGen Worldwide and a former managing partner of his own law firm.
Together, we dive deep into the real-world playbook for growing a hotel investment business - whether you’re acquiring your first property or trying to exit a $15 million deal.
We cover:
– What makes a hotel market worth investing in
– How to raise capital beyond friends and family
– Why the real pros plan their exit before they even buy
– SBA loans vs CMBS vs local banks: financing pros and cons
– The risks and rewards of boutique hotels vs flagged properties
– Why extended-stay hotels are gaining momentum
– How top investors scale and what separates them from the rest
If you’re serious about building wealth through boutique hotels and experiential hospitality, this episode will help you play the game like a pro.
Connect with Suraj:
Email: suraj.bhakta@newgenadv.com
Website: https://newgenadv.com/
Linkedin: Suraj Bhakta
Instagram: @newgenadvisory
Connect with Mike and Nate:
Invest with Mike & Nate: malama-capital.com/invest
Submit a deal: https://www.malama-capital.com/deal-submission
Instagram: @the_hotel_investor_playbook
Contact Us: info@hotelinvestorplaybook.com
