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Thinking about investing in the hospitality space in 2025?
You may be wondering — what’s the difference between financing a boutique motel and a traditional hotel like a Marriott or Hilton?
Spoiler alert: There’s a big difference, especially when it comes to securing funding.
Let’s break it down so you can make the best move with your capital.
💡 Flagged Hotels Have the Financing Advantage
When we talk about “flagged hotels,” we’re referring to national franchise hotel brands — think Marriott, Hilton, Holiday Inn. Lenders love these because:
- ✅ They’re proven brands with loyal customer bases
- ✅ They follow standardized systems and performance metrics
- ✅ They tend to be located in prime metropolitan markets
This makes flagged hotels a low-risk, high-confidence loan from a lender’s perspective.
As Beau Eckstein explains, there’s “definitely more of an appetite” for these types of projects.
🏕️ Boutique Motels Are a Whole Different Story
So what happens when you’re looking to buy or finance a boutique motel?
Boutique motels are typically:
- ❌ Unbranded or independently operated
- 🧭 Located in rural or tertiary markets
- 🤝 Operated by first-time buyers (who maybe only have short-term rental experience)
Banks tend to be much more cautious here — or outright say no.
🧭 Why Traditional Banks May Say No
Most banks have tight underwriting criteria:
- They want flagged brands
- They prefer high-population MSAs like Los Angeles, Atlanta, or Las Vegas
- They expect you to have hospitality experience
This leaves many boutique motel investors stuck — especially if:
- You’re in a rural market
- You’re converting an old property
- You don’t have traditional hotel operating experience
✅ Here's Where Beau’s Team Makes the Difference
This is where Beau Eckstein and his team come in.
Rather than being limited by one lender’s criteria, they match you with the right SBA or non-bank lending partner who understands boutique assets.
“That’s the difference. You come to us — we navigate the waters,” Beau says.
Whether you're converting an old roadside motel or expanding your Airbnb portfolio into boutique properties, their team helps:
- ✅ Package your business plan
- ✅ Show projected revenue and feasibility
- ✅ Find flexible lenders who will fund the vision
🛠️ Bonus: Free Tools to Scale with Less Overhead
Want to grow your business and actually have time to enjoy it?
Beau’s giving away a free eBook that teaches you how to 10x your growth using virtual team members + AI tools.
It’s packed with:
- Lead gen tools
- Prompt frameworks
- Automation tips to scale without hiring a huge team
📘 Download the free Biz Scaling Playbook here
💬 Final Thoughts
If you're a real estate investor or entrepreneur exploring boutique motel financing, don’t assume banks will roll out the red carpet.
But don’t be discouraged either.
There are lending options — you just need the right guide and game plan.
🎯 Want personalized help on your next boutique motel or SBA deal?
📅 Book a free strategy session with Beau and start building your portfolio with confidence.
📺 Subscribe to Beau Eckstein’s YouTube channel for weekly videos on SBA loans, business acquisitions, and real estate investing.
Beau has over 20 years of lending experience and breaks down even the most complex deals in simple, actionable steps.