Today’s guest bought a roadside motel in a town of 900 people and turned it into a thriving hospitality brand.
In this episode of the Hotel Investor Playbook, Mike and Nate sit down with Austin Phippen, a 26‑year‑old owner of Chama Trails Motel, a portfolio of 12 short-term rentals and a scenic wedding venue in Chama, New Mexico.
What you’ll learn from this episode:
- The “Motel Hack” mindset: How Austin got in with seller financing and turned the motel into both home and business
- Scaling without overbuilding: Why he ran it “as-is” in year one and focused on reviews before renovations
- Bundling to build a team: How combining the motel, STRs, and a venue created enough revenue for full staffing
- Remote operations, done right: What you must know before investing in a rural town you don’t live in
- Marketing that works: Why Google reviews and great operations now drive over 85% of bookings directly
If you’re serious about hospitality investing, especially in rural or seasonal markets, this episode is a must-listen masterclass in bootstrapping, brand-building, and sustainable growth.
About Austin
Austin and Karlee Phippen are the powerhouse couple behind Turquoise Antler Hospitality, a growing portfolio of boutique rentals, a 16-room motel, and a stunning wedding venue in Chama, New Mexico. Since launching in 2019, they've transformed a small-town motel into a thriving hospitality brand with a team of 20 and over a dozen co-hosted properties. With Austin’s background in construction and Karlee’s roots in hospitality, they’ve created unique stays that blend rustic charm with modern comfort. In this episode, they share how they scaled their business, built community partnerships, and navigated the wild world of rural hospitality.
Connect with Austin
Email: austin@turquoiseantler.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-phippen-730569124/
Instagram: @chamavacationrentals and @phippenout
Website: https://chamavacationrentals.com/
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