In this episode of The Radical Hospitality Show, host Zeke Freeman sits down with Neil Shah, founder of Inntech Management and owner/operator of 13 hotels, including six in Sedona, Arizona. Neil shares his inspiring journey from immigrant electrical engineer to hospitality entrepreneur. He reveals how he got his start with just $20,000 saved from a side hustle building websites, and how that turned into a growing portfolio of boutique hotels.
Neil breaks down his investment strategy, partnership dynamics, operations philosophy, and what it really takes to succeed in the boutique hotel space—especially when transitioning from short-term rentals. This episode is packed with real-life lessons, tactical advice, and behind-the-scenes stories that are especially helpful for aspiring hoteliers, STR operators, and real estate entrepreneurs.
Key Topics Discussed:
- Neil’s journey from India to owning 13 hotels in Arizona
- How a side hustle funded his first hotel investment
- The power of mentorship and long-term partnerships
- What it takes to transition from STR to hotel ownership
- Operational efficiencies, financing strategies, and building teams
- Technology tools for hotel operations (Cloudbeds, DDL, Whistle)
- Workforce housing challenges and solutions in high-cost areas
- Advice for structuring GP/LP partnerships
- What to consider before jumping into new hotel construction
- How Neil turned around a 30% occupancy hotel into a thriving asset
02:15 Neil's Journey: From Electrical Engineer to Hotel Owner
03:04 First Steps in the Hotel Industry
04:09 The Big Realization: Loving the Hospitality Business
04:37 From College to Flagstaff: Building a Career
06:14 First Investment: The Best Western Deal
12:56 Scaling Up: The Tucson Property
17:24 Partnership Dynamics and Mentorship
21:44 Advice for Aspiring Hotel Entrepreneurs
27:00 Staffing Needs for Larger Properties
27:39 Transitioning from Airbnb to Boutique Hotels
28:13 Challenges in Hotel Management Systems
29:49 Common Mistakes by New Hoteliers
30:39 Defining Your Buy Box and Raising Capital
31:42 Current Portfolio and Management Strategies
34:23 Technology and Operations in Boutique Hotels
37:28 Dealing with Workforce Housing Challenges
38:54 Impact of Political Changes on Business
40:23 Advice for Limited and General Partners
43:41 Acquiring vs. New Construction
46:23 Case Study: Successful Repositioning in Sedona
53:15 Future Plans and Mentorship
Connect with Zeke Freeman:
Instagram: @zekefreeman_rootarchitecture and @rootarchitecture
YouTube: @rootarchitecture
Facebook: @RootArchitectureandDevelopment
LinkedIn: Zeke Freeman
X/Twitter: @zfreemanroot
Ready to get started with your hospitality project?
https://root-ad.com/
Get in Touch: Stay connected with the Radical Hospitality podcast for more episodes exploring the intersection of architecture, design, and unforgettable guest experiences.
Follow, Rate & Review:
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your network! Your support helps us continue delivering conversations with industry leaders redefining hospitality.
Popular Podcasts
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.