From Wall Street to Pura Vida: Building ONDA, a Lifestyle Hotel Brand in Costa Rica | Bill Graf E52
We’ve all dreamt of quitting our bland corporate jobs to buy a hotel in Costa Rica… well, today’s guest did that.
After leaving a private equity career in San Francisco, Bill Graf traded suits for surf towns and founded Onda, a hospitality brand in Costa Rica that blends the style of a boutique hotel with the social energy of a hostel.
You’ll learn:
- How to uncover hidden opportunities in small hotels that big players ignore
- What U.S. investors should know about buying real estate in Costa Rica
- His unique strategy for keeping his properties full year-round
This episode is a blueprint for spotting opportunities where others see risk… and will certainly have you daydreaming by the end of it!
Follow along with The Hotel Investor Playbook to discover how to invest in hospitality assets the right way.
About Bill
William “Bill” Graf is the founder and CEO of ONDA, a hospitality collective in Costa Rica that blends boutique hotel comforts with the social energy of a hostel. A former investment banker and private equity professional, Bill left Wall Street in 2016 to travel the world, visiting over 50 countries and experiencing firsthand the challenges of inconsistent accommodations. Inspired to create a better model, he launched ONDA to deliver reliable, community-driven stays in lifestyle destinations where major hotel brands won’t go. Today, Bill is building ONDA into a global hospitality brand focused on culture, connection, and transformational guest experiences.
Connect with Bill
Website: www.stayonda.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/williamgraf
Instagram: @billygoat_graf and @findyouronda
Connect with Mike and Nate:
Invest with Mike & Nate: malama-capital.com/invest
Submit a deal: https://www.malama-capital.com/deal-submission
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