A Management Agency

Bridging Luxury and Ethics

Our Story

Our journey started in the hotel industry as we cultivated our expertise in delivering exceptional guest experiences through the management of our own boutique hotel. As we listened to our customers, we discovered a gap in the ever-evolving landscape -- a growing hunger for distinctive, independent Short-Term Rental (STR) experiences infused with the warmth of hospitality.

Armed with a passion for creating exceptional guest experiences and drawing from our extensive background in hotel principles, we intend to elevate the STR industry to fill this void. We invite you to join us on this transformative path, where our fresh perspective, efficiency, and soulful approach redefine success for independent boutique hotels and STR properties alike.

Our Team

Irfan
Valla

CEO

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Karim
Hooda

CFO

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Gonzalo
Sanchez

CRO

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Irfan
Valla

CEO

Meet Irfan, a seasoned visionary in hospitality and real estate with over 15 years of expertise. As the Owner of Riverwalk Plaza Hotel, he orchestrated a successful revitalization, transforming the 131-room property into a distinctive boutique hotel. Irfan's strategic leadership, marked by a significant capital investment exceeding $4 million, doubled RevPAR and introduced premium amenities.

Additionally, Irfan serves as the Founder and Managing Partner of Luxe Life Dba Austin Condo Hotel and Eastside Villas. Since December 2017, he has pioneered innovative approaches, setting new standards for luxury in short-term rentals, achieving an annual revenue of over $10 million. Seamlessly combining established hotel practices with the unique demands of the STR market, Irfan ensures optimal cash flow and delivers unparalleled guest experiences.

Cultivating expertise in both hospitality and short-term rentals, Irfan applies his skills from the successful revitalization of Riverwalk Plaza Hotel to drive innovation and a soulful approach at Luxe Life. His unique perspective as an owner and manager, coupled with a track record of guiding diverse properties with assets over $50 million, showcases his dedication to championing profitability and operational efficiency.

Karim
Hooda

CFO

As the Founder & Managing Partner of Luxe Life, overseeing operations under the brands Austin Condo Hotel and East Side Villas in Austin, Texas, Karim Hooda has dedicated the past seven years to channeling his unwavering passion for hospitality. Under his leadership, the short-term rental operation has flourished, marked by the execution of exhaustive market research and strategic asset acquisitions. His approach has resulted in consistently high property level profit while recently achieving in excess of $10 million in revenues across all unit types.

Karim's hands-on leadership style played a pivotal role in the company's expansion of services across central Texas, embodying a steadfast commitment to realizing a broader vision of nationwide growth. Beyond the bustling world of hospitality, Karim seeks inspiration in academia. During his spare time, he dedicates himself to sharing his wealth of knowledge, contributing to the academic community by teaching Economics and Business courses at Columbia University. Through this, Karim not only supports budding visions but also continually refines his own expertise.

Gonzalo
Sanchez

CRO

Meet Gonzalo Sanchez, a dynamic leader in the hospitality industry, adept at seamlessly merging operational expertise with keen business acumen. With a robust background in design, renovations, and a proven track record, Gonzalo has left an indelible mark on diverse projects, surpassing geographical boundaries.

As the Director of Operations at the Riverwalk Plaza Hotel, Austin Condo Hotel, and Eastside Villas, Gonzalo demonstrated visionary leadership by implementing strategic systems that resulted in an impressive threefold increase in revenue. His operational prowess and talent for cultivating innovative solutions to challenges have been central to his successful career. Gonzalo's impact goes beyond individual projects; he has served as a distinguished board member of the San Antonio Hotel Lodging Association, making significant contributions to the growth of the hospitality community.

Currently serving as the Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) at Luxe Life, Gonzalo leads the charge in reshaping the industry. Under his leadership, the company has steadily captured revenue from competitors, marking a period of unprecedented success. Armed with an M. Arch and an M.S. in Urban Regional Planning from UTSA, Gonzalo's educational background seamlessly complements his operational achievements. An avid gamer and devoted dog-lover, Gonzalo infuses passion into every endeavor. Gonzalo Sanchez emerges not only as a dynamic operational leader but also as a transformative force shaping the future of hospitality.