The hotel industry is changing: costs are rising, AI is here, and investors are getting more selective.

This week on the Hotel Investor Playbook, we sat down with Bob Rauch, better known as The Hotel Guru. From starting out as a dishwasher to building and selling a 20-hotel management company, then launching Brick Hospitality and managing nearly 1,000 rooms, Bob has seen it all.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

How to spot hot markets (and avoid the ones that eat your profits)
The truth about using robots and AI inside hotels
The 4 core skills Bob believes every investor must master

Bob has 45+ years in the trenches, and he’s sharing real stories, wins, and lessons that can change how you invest.

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About Bob

Robert A. Rauch, CHA, widely known as “The Hotel Guru,” is a nationally recognized hotelier, consultant, and strategist with over four decades of experience in the hospitality industry. He is the Chairman of Brick Hospitality, Managing Partner of the Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites San Diego/Del Mar, and founder of Hotel Guru. This consulting firm advises hotel owners and investors on acquisitions, operations, finance, and marketing. A Certified Hotel Administrator, Rauch has also served as a faculty associate at Arizona State University, authored the industry newsletter Hospitality Innsights, and contributed regularly to leading hospitality publications. Through his leadership, market forecasts, and hands-on advisory, he has helped shape the future of hotel investment and management while mentoring the next generation of hospitality professionals.

Bob's Book

The Hotel Guru’s Journey: A Guide to Excellence in the Hotel Industry, launching October 2025, available on Amazon.

Connect with Bob

Website: hotelguru.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/robertrauch

X: x.com/truehotelguru

Facebook: facebook.com/hotelguru

Email: rauch.ra@gmail.com

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