Why hotels? Why now?

You’re Closer Than You Think

Good morning, everyone!

Hope you all had a chance to rest and recharge over the weekend. We were busy around here getting the house and yard ready for winter but made sure to take Sunday just for us, which was amazing. Also, if you’re a baseball fan following the postseason… Go Jays Go!

Before diving into today’s topic, a quick reminder for any real estate agents reading this:

I’ll be hosting a FREE webinar this Wednesday, October 22 at 4 PM PST / 7 PM EST with Kristen Jackson, a social media expert based in Ottawa. She’ll be covering how to stand out in a sea of agents and use social media to consistently attract quality leads. You’re not going to want to miss this one.

Webinar

Now, on to today’s investment talk.

Lately, I’ve been asked why, at almost 43 years old, I’ve decided to shift my focus toward boutique hotels, specifically in Mexico. The short answer? Why not?

Investing isn’t linear. There are a million ways to grow your money, and this path excites me. But to explain it financially, here’s why hotels are starting to look like a strong play compared to multifamily right now.

---

Boutique Hotels vs. Multifamily: Two Different Games, Same Core Principles

At first glance, boutique hotels and multifamily properties might seem similar. Both are real estate, both can create cash flow, and both build long-term wealth. But they operate very differently.

Multifamily is predictable. Think steady rents, long-term tenants, and familiar financing. It’s built for consistency. Your income comes monthly, and your focus is occupancy, maintenance, and efficiency. It’s the “buy, hold, and build equity” model that grows slowly but reliably.

Boutique hotels, on the other hand, are active businesses built around real estate. You’re not just collecting rent — you’re curating an experience. Revenue changes daily based on occupancy, pricing, and guest satisfaction. The upside can be huge: higher income per door, lifestyle flexibility, and creative control over your brand. Of course, that comes with more moving parts — staffing, marketing, operations, and seasonality.

If multifamily investing is like owning a stable dividend stock, boutique hotels are like running a thriving small business. One is about security, the other about scale and lifestyle.

---

Those last two words — scale and lifestyle — are what stand out most to me. With residential investments, you’re often at the mercy of rent regulations and tenant laws. With hotels, your income depends on how well you run the business and brand. There’s no cap on what you can charge per night. It all comes down to the value you deliver and the experience you create.

And then there’s the lifestyle factor. I’ve reached a point where I want to live and work in different parts of the world. Investing internationally makes that possible and expands my reach in a way traditional rentals never could.

We leave for our first trip to Mexico this weekend to start touring hotels. It’s going to be an exciting new chapter, and I’m glad to have you all following along for the ride.

Til tomorrow,

Ryan

Copyright © 2025  Grafton Capital Group, All rights reserved.

Our email address is:
ryan@graftoncapitalgroup.com