The Hotel Assassination lands at a point in GTA V where Franklin needs cash, Lester needs a clean pair of hands, and the story needs a push forward. It's the first assassination job from Lester, and unlike the later optional hits, you can't really leave this one sitting forever if you want the campaign to move on. Players building a fresh run, or checking progress on GTA V Accounts, will notice this mission opens up a lot more than a simple sniper job. Lester sends Franklin after Brett Lowrey, the head of Bilkinton Research, who's staying at the Von Crastenburg Hotel in Los Santos.

How the setup plays out

Franklin meets Lester down at Vespucci Beach, and the whole thing has that usual Lester flavour: awkward talk, sharp details, and a target who's painted as very much deserving it. Brett Lowrey has been pushing dodgy pharmaceuticals and leaning on the FDA to keep things moving. Lester wants him gone while he's leaving the hotel, because that gives Franklin a clear window and a quick escape route. Once you reach the area, Franklin takes position in the multi-storey car park opposite the entrance. It's a good spot. You can see the front doors, the cars, and the target when he finally appears.

Best way to finish the hit

The mission gives you a couple of ways to handle it, but the sniper rifle is the cleanest choice if you're chasing the Gold Medal. Wait for Brett to come outside, line up the shot, and don't rush it. You've got enough time if you're calm. Some players prefer planting a sticky bomb on the car and setting it off once he gets in, which works fine for completing the job, but it won't satisfy the sniper requirement. After the kill, get out of the area fast. If nobody clocks you properly, you won't have to deal with a wanted level, which saves time and keeps the run tidy.

Gold Medal targets worth knowing

The Gold Medal conditions are simple, but that doesn't mean you'll nail them all on the first try. You need to complete the mission within the required time, kill Brett with a sniper rifle, and earn enough money from the hit. The nice thing is that GTA V lets you split these goals across replays. So if your first run is messy but profitable, don't worry too much. You can replay it later and focus only on speed or the sniper kill. Still, it's worth doing the stock prep before starting, because that's where this mission becomes more than just another story checkpoint.

Stock market moves after the job

Before starting The Hotel Assassination, put all available money from Michael, Franklin, and Trevor into Betta Pharmaceuticals on BAWSAQ. After the mission, wait a few in-game days and sell when the return gets close to its peak, often around 80% on older versions and lower on some newer releases. Then move the money into Bilkinton on the LCN exchange and wait for that rebound as well. Sleeping or opening the save menu at a bed can move time along quickly. If you're managing multiple saves or comparing builds through GTA V Accounts for sale, make a manual save before the mission so you can reload if you miss the best selling window.