Boutique Hotel Secrets Podcast

35 - We Wanted 20 Rooms. We Got 2. Here's What We Learned with Micah & Adam

In this episode, Adam and Micah pull back the curtain on the brutal gap between expectations and reality as they prepare for their first major holiday weekend at The Wesley — aiming for 20 newly renovated rooms, delivering 2. They also dig into their marketing strategy for driving direct bookings, why building an email list has real dollar value at exit, and how AI is reshaping how hotels reach guests.  Affiliate code for Quo https://get.quo.com/mdvsnezsa1lk [https://get.quo.com/mdvsnezsa1lk]  Affiliate code for MEWS https://referrals.mews.com/u0AExnZa [https://referrals.mews.com/u0AExnZa] Connect with Micah: Instagram: micahinvests Tiktok: micahinvests1 Connect with Adam: Instagram: adaminvests1 LinkedIn: adaminvests1 Tiktok: adaminvests1 Thinking about Boutique Hotels? Schedule a call: https://bit.ly/4t1q3bb [https://bit.ly/4t1q3bb] 🏨 Check out The Wesley Boutique Hotel in Page, Arizona: https://www.thewesleyaz.com/visit [https://www.thewesleyaz.com/visit] 📍Welcome to Page Mural — one of the local spots mentioned in this episode: http://bit.ly/4tCjOu4 [http://bit.ly/4tCjOu4]

34 - ⁠What We'd Do Differently on Hotel #2 (And Why We're Still Glad We Didn't) with Micah and Adam

In this episode, Adam and Micah pull back the curtain on the final stretch before opening newly renovated rooms at The Wesley — tackling everything from 18 pallets of tile and FF&E sticker shock to their first real advertising budget. They also share an honest reflection on whether staying partially open during renovation was the right call, and why they'd make a different decision for hotel number two.  Affiliate code for Quo https://get.quo.com/mdvsnezsa1lk [https://get.quo.com/mdvsnezsa1lk]  Affiliate code for MEWS https://referrals.mews.com/u0AExnZa [https://referrals.mews.com/u0AExnZa] Connect with Micah: Instagram: micahinvests Tiktok: micahinvests1 Connect with Adam: Instagram: adaminvests1 LinkedIn: adaminvests1 Tiktok: adaminvests1 Thinking about Boutique Hotels? Schedule a call: https://bit.ly/4t1q3bb [https://bit.ly/4t1q3bb] 🏨 Check out The Wesley Boutique Hotel in Page, Arizona: https://www.thewesleyaz.com/visit [https://www.thewesleyaz.com/visit] 📍Welcome to Page Mural — one of the local spots mentioned in this episode: http://bit.ly/4tCjOu4 [http://bit.ly/4tCjOu4]

33 - ⁠The Human Premium: Why Hospitality's Edge Has Nothing to Do With AI with Mike Sjogren

In this episode, Adam and Micah sit down with boutique hotel mentor Mike Sjogren to explore how AI is reshaping hospitality operations — from direct booking pages to revenue management — and why the operators who thrive will be the ones doubling down on human connection, not replacing it. They also dive into the Wesley's pre-launch strategy, the power of leveraging local community relationships, and Mike's newly funded 47-room Outer Banks development that came together after one casual conversation and a $12 million ask. Connect with Mike: Find him on Instagram: @mike.sjogren [https://www.instagram.com/mike.sjogren/] Affiliate code for Quo https://get.quo.com/mdvsnezsa1lk [https://get.quo.com/mdvsnezsa1lk] Affiliate code for MEWS https://referrals.mews.com/u0AExnZa [https://referrals.mews.com/u0AExnZa] Connect with Micah: Instagram: micahinvests Tiktok: micahinvests1 Connect with Adam: Instagram: adaminvests1 LinkedIn: adaminvests1 Tiktok: adaminvests1 Thinking about Boutique Hotels? Schedule a call: https://bit.ly/4t1q3bb [https://bit.ly/4t1q3bb] 🏨 Check out The Wesley Boutique Hotel in Page, Arizona: https://www.thewesleyaz.com/visit [https://www.thewesleyaz.com/visit] 📍Welcome to Page Mural — one of the local spots mentioned in this episode: http://bit.ly/4tCjOu4 [http://bit.ly/4tCjOu4]

32 - More Human, Not Less: How Smart Hotel Operators Are Using AI to Double Down on Real Connections with Rashmi Bhat

In this episode, Adam and Micah are joined by Rashmi Bhat — coach, restaurateur, and boutique hotel operator — to explore how independent hospitality owners can leverage AI not to replace their teams, but to free them up for the moments that actually matter. From automating influencer outreach and auditing P&Ls to using voice prompting in the car and walking the vendor floor at AAHOA, this conversation is a practical roadmap for operators who want to work smarter without losing the human touch that makes boutique hospitality special. Connect with Rashmi:  Find her on Instagram:  toastyindian [https://www.instagram.com/toastyindian/], resohospitality [https://www.instagram.com/resohospitality/]  Affiliate code for Quo https://get.quo.com/mdvsnezsa1lk [https://get.quo.com/mdvsnezsa1lk]  Affiliate code for MEWS https://referrals.mews.com/u0AExnZa [https://referrals.mews.com/u0AExnZa] Connect with Micah: Instagram: micahinvests Tiktok: micahinvests1 Connect with Adam: Instagram: adaminvests1 LinkedIn: adaminvests1 Tiktok: adaminvests1 Thinking about Boutique Hotels? Schedule a call: https://bit.ly/4t1q3bb [https://bit.ly/4t1q3bb] 🏨 Check out The Wesley Boutique Hotel in Page, Arizona: https://www.thewesleyaz.com/visit [https://www.thewesleyaz.com/visit] 📍Welcome to Page Mural — one of the local spots mentioned in this episode: http://bit.ly/4tCjOu4 [http://bit.ly/4tCjOu4]

31 - ⁠Zero Finished Rooms, $38K Mortgage Due: The Real Cost of Building a Hotel with Micah & Adam

In this episode, Adam and Micah share the unfiltered reality of renovating a 50-room boutique hotel in Page, Arizona — from a viral mural drawing thousands of visitors to zero finished rooms and a $38,000 mortgage looming on the horizon. In this episode, they open up about the emotional and financial pressure of building in public, navigating contractor delays, investor tax surprises, and what it really means to go all in on a vision you believe in.  Affiliate code for Quo https://get.quo.com/mdvsnezsa1lk [https://get.quo.com/mdvsnezsa1lk]  Affiliate code for MEWS https://referrals.mews.com/u0AExnZa [https://referrals.mews.com/u0AExnZa] Connect with Micah: Instagram: micahinvests Tiktok: micahinvests1 Connect with Adam: Instagram: adaminvests1 LinkedIn: adaminvests1 Tiktok: adaminvests1 Thinking about Boutique Hotels? Schedule a call: https://bit.ly/4t1q3bb [https://bit.ly/4t1q3bb] 🏨 Check out The Wesley Boutique Hotel in Page, Arizona: https://www.thewesleyaz.com/visit [https://www.thewesleyaz.com/visit] 📍Welcome to Page Mural — one of the local spots mentioned in this episode: http://bit.ly/4tCjOu4 [http://bit.ly/4tCjOu4]