Mid 30s, Single, currently traveling all of South America, constant talking stages dealing with slight relationship insecurity just want to get away in a book. I usually read books from HBR or books on Sales psychology or books to keep me sharp, but I'm curious to see what someone would suggest. I used to love fiction growing up. I read Treasure Island, The Godfather, etc.
Hey everyone has anyone here ever thought about getting into the hostel/hotel/bar/nightclub business abroad?
I’m curious about the real side of it how hard it is to buy or start one, what the legal stuff looks like, what kind of money you need, and what mistakes to avoid.
I’m looking to break into hotel ownership from a commercial real estate angle and would appreciate insight from those with experience in hospitality assets.
I recently relocated to South America to explore opportunities in emerging markets where acquisition and development costs are lower. My long-term goal is to own and operate a concept-driven property (hotel + F&B + nightlife), but I’m trying to understand the most realistic entry point from an investment and CRE perspective.
My background is in the U.S. military and luxury car sales — strong on discipline, operations, and client experience, but I don’t have direct experience in hotel ownership or real estate development.
A few things I’m trying to better understand:
Is it more realistic to start with a small independent asset (hostel/boutique) or try to partner into a larger deal?
What’s the typical path for someone without a CRE background — acquisitions, leasing, management, or development?
How do investors typically evaluate hotel deals differently from other asset classes?
Any recommended resources for underwriting, deal structuring, or hospitality-specific CRE education?
I’m open to starting small, partnering, or even working within the industry first if that’s the smarter path.
Appreciate any guidance, especially from those who’ve entered hospitality through commercial real estate.
I’ve had a long-term goal of owning a hotel, and I recently moved to South America to pursue it more seriously since startup and acquisition costs can be lower here.
What I’m aiming to build is more than just a place to stay — ideally a concept-driven property that combines a hotel with a strong restaurant and possibly a nightlife component (lounge/club). I’m interested in creating an experience, not just operating a basic lodging business.
The challenge is figuring out the smartest way to actually get started.
My background is in the U.S. military and luxury car sales, so I bring discipline, customer experience, and sales skills — but no direct hospitality ownership experience.
I’m open to different approaches:
Starting small with a hostel or boutique hotel vs. going bigger
Buying an existing business vs. building from scratch
Partnering with someone experienced vs. learning by doing
What I’d really value from this community:
How you got your start in hospitality (or a similar service business)
What you wish you knew before owning your first property
Biggest mistakes to avoid early on
Any resources (books, courses, mentors, communities) that actually helped
If you’ve built or run a hotel, hostel, bar, or restaurant — or any experience-driven business — I’d really appreciate your perspective.
I’ve had a long-term goal of owning a hotel, to the point that I moved to South America to explore the idea more seriously since entry costs can be lower here.
What really interests me is building a concept-driven property — something like a hotel combined with a restaurant, nightlife element (club/lounge), or even a casino-style experience. I’m drawn to hospitality as a lifestyle business, not just real estate.
That said, I’m struggling to figure out where I actually fit in the industry and what the smartest entry point is.
My background is in the U.S. military and luxury car sales, so I have discipline, customer experience, and sales skills — but no direct hospitality ownership experience.
I’m open to different paths:
Buying or starting a hostel vs. boutique hotel
Partnering vs. going solo
Starting small vs. going straight into a larger concept
What I’m really looking for:
Recommended resources (books, courses, communities, YouTube channels, etc.)
First-hand experiences from owners/operators
Advice on how to break into the industry realistically
Common mistakes to avoid early on
If you’ve built or run a hotel/hostel or are working toward it, I’d really appreciate your perspective.