What if you could invest in boutique hotels without running the hotel?
In this episode of The Hotel Investor Playbook, host Michael Russell sits down with Curt Marker—private jet captain, real estate investor, and CEO of Captain Capital—to break down how Curt became a co-GP on a $10M, 130-room boutique hotel in the Smoky Mountains without managing staff or daily operations.
They walk through the real mechanics of Curt’s role in the deal, including how he raised $1.5M in capital, evaluated operating partners, and helped guide investors through an unexpected 8-month USDA loan delay using consistent, transparent communication.
In this episode, they discuss:
- How to add value in hotel deals without being the operator
- Why most of Curt’s capital came from people he already knew
- What to look for when vetting an operating partner
- How a loan delay tested the partnership—and investor confidence
- Why honest monthly updates matter more than perfect timelines
This conversation is a grounded look at hotel investing for professionals who want exposure to hospitality real estate without taking on operational complexity—and a reminder that trust and communication are just as important as the numbers.
🎧 Original Podcast: The Hotel Investor Playbook
🌐 Learn more: https://www.hotelinvestorplaybook.com/
Timestamps
02:05 – Curt’s Background: From Pilot to Real Estate Investor
05:06 – Shifting Focus: Family, Charity, and Long-Term Purpose
08:37 – Staying Flexible Across Asset Classes
11:25 – Why Commercial Real Estate Changed the Game
15:20 – Comparing Short-Term Rentals vs Hotels
18:43 – Breaking Down the Boutique Hotel Deal Structure
22:21 – Adding Value Without Managing Daily Operations
26:16 – The USDA Loan Delay and What Went Wrong
29:14 – Communicating Bad News Without Losing Investor Trust
38:01 – Building a Personal Brand That Raises Capital
45:54 – Where Capital Actually Comes From
52:47 – Advice for First-Time Real Estate Investors
CONNECT WITH MICHAEL RUSSELL:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reachmichael
Website: https://www.malama-capital.com/
CONNECT WITH US:
Instagram: @thecaptaincurt
TikTok: @thecaptaincurt
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecaptaincurt_
Website: www.captaincapital.com
Invest With Curt: Start Here: https://www.captaincapital.com/invest
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