

From STRs to Boutique Hotels: How to Invest Smarter in Hospitality Real Estate
11 snips Sep 18, 2025
Join James Savier, Senior VP at CBRE Hotels with deep expertise in boutique hotel acquisitions, as he dives into the evolving landscape of hospitality investment. Discover why many short-term rental operators are shifting focus to boutique hotels and how their skills translate. Learn about unique valuation techniques and financing options tailored for hotels. James shares invaluable insights on branding, guest experience, and common pitfalls to avoid. If you're considering a move into boutique hotels, this conversation is a treasure trove of wisdom!
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STR Experience Translates To Hotels
- Short-term rental operators naturally consider hotels because both product and service overlap and hotels centralize many units under one roof.
- James Savier says hotels benefit from institutional understanding and can be a logical scale-up for STR operators.
Hotels Are Valued As Operating Businesses
- Hotels are valued on net operating income and cap rates, so profitable operations directly increase property value.
- James explains that unlike STR portfolios tied to residential comps, hotels sell as businesses with yield-based pricing.
Match Plan To Financing Channels
- Build a clear business plan and show lenders the sponsor track record to access diverse hotel financing options.
- James recommends exploring debt funds, traditional banks, SBA loans and CMBS depending on deal size and risk.