The most powerful part of a hotel stay isn’t the design or the amenities, it’s the feeling guests take home.

That’s the philosophy of Bashar Wali, one of the most candid and creative voices in hospitality, who's spent 30+ years building, operating, and reinventing hotels around the world.

In this episode of the Hotel Investor Playbook, Bashar shares:

• Why “give-a-shit-ability” beats corporate playbooks
• The power of emotional intelligence in hotel teams
• The biggest mistakes first-time owners make
• The difference between the three types of hotel deals (core, value-add, and opportunistic)

Bashar doesn’t hold back. Whether you’re an operator, investor, or aspiring hotelier, this conversation will reshape how you think about hospitality.

Follow and share the Hotel Investor Playbook so more people can learn how to invest in hospitality assets the right way.

About Bashar

Bashar Wali is a seasoned hotelier, entrepreneur, and the founder of This Assembly and Practice Hospitality, with over 30 years of experience leading and scaling some of the industry’s most innovative hotel brands. In this episode, Bashar shares his playbook across acquisitions, funding, marketing, and operations, revealing how emotional intelligence, design, and culture are just as critical as deal structures and NOI. From building authentic guest loyalty without points, to structuring creative capital stacks, to “making the magic” in operations, his insights are both tactical and timeless. Whether you’re a first-time hotel investor or looking to scale your portfolio, this conversation will give you actionable lessons to apply in your own ventures.

Connect with Bashar

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/basharwali

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/basharwali

Website: https://www.thisassembly.com

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

How do you turn a struggling hotel into a profitable asset?

This week on the Hotel Investor Playbook, we sit down with Naveed Khan, co-founder of London Rock Partners, a hotel management and advisory firm that oversees everything from branded hotels like Holiday Inn to boutique independents and even a 650-bed hostel in London.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why the first step in turning around a hotel always starts with people, not P&Ls
• The advantages (and risks) of branded vs. independent hotels for investors
• How management companies can become a true partner in value creation
• Why tech and automation are reshaping hospitality operations
• Tactical advice for first-time hotel investors on keeping it simple

If you want to understand how the right management partnership can transform your hotel investment, this episode is a must-listen.

Follow and share the Hotel Investor Playbook so more people can learn how to invest in hospitality assets the right way.

About Naveed

Naveed Khan is the Chief Operating Officer of London Rock Partners, a leading hospitality asset and hotel management firm based in the UK. With a career spanning revenue management, commercial strategy, and full-scale hotel operations, he has led both branded and boutique properties through transformation and growth. Naveed is known for his people-first leadership, tech-driven operational strategies, and ability to maximize asset performance for owners and investors. His journey from revenue manager to COO reflects both resilience and a deep commitment to reshaping the future of hospitality.

Connect with Naveed

Website: https://www.londonrockpartners.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naveed-khan-580ba179/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/londonrockpartners/

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

Few people have left a mark on hospitality like Richard Kessler.

He started his hospitality career by helping scale Days Inn into a household name as the early CEO

Then he founded the Kessler Collection, one of the leading boutique hotel portfolios in the U.S., which ultimately helped launch Marriott’s Autograph Collection.

In this episode, Richard shares the biggest lessons from his 50-year career, including:

• How to lead through downturns and find opportunity in distress
• Why reputation as an operator attracts financing and partners
• The role of vision, teamwork, and conviction in building lasting brands
• Why his mother’s advice, “Don’t take the elevator, take the stairs”, shaped his approach to success

This is a rare chance to learn directly from one of hospitality’s true icons.

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