Our Story
Resort News Cover & Profile January 2021
In their two decades in the industry, Lyn and Michael have observed many changes, none bigger than the arrival of online booking platforms.
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Surfers Paradise is one of the country’s most recognised destinations, famous for its golden beach and iconic high- rise skyline. A tourist hot spot since the 1920s, Surfers Paradise is considered by many to be the jewel in the crown of the Gold Coast’s $6 billion tourism economy.
It was however not the preferred destination for Lyn Stephens who, with husband Michael, has for the past 20 years managed The Breakers absolute beachfront apartments which are perfectly positioned right on the sand at the southern boundary of ... you guessed it ... Surfers Paradise.
Having observed friends’ forays into resort management, the former Sydneysiders were eager to relocate to the Gold Coast and secure a building but Lyn was adamant she did not want to live amid the ‘glitz and glamour’ of Surfers Paradise.
“I had always said ‘I do not want to live in Surfers Paradise’. If the address is Surfers Paradise, forget it,” she said.
“But the agent took us around in his car and of course I had no idea where I was because we went to one building, another building, another building ... This was the last one he took us to before he took us to the airport and I didn’t even know that it was Surfers Paradise.
“I just got out of the car, walked in and said ‘I like this’. And that was it, done and dusted.”
Two decades later they are still on site at The Breakers and more than happy with the decision. “I love where we are,” Lyn said. “I just didn’t like the idea of Surfers Paradise itself. It was too busy, but we’re right on the fringe of Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach. We’re far enough away but close enough that you can walk to everything.”
Breakers comprises a 12-storey main building, bookable to 10 floors, and five absolute beachfront cabanas which are truly unique in the area.
Built in 1975, the complex is in impeccable condition, something Lyn attributes to the efforts of their staff and contractors, and the owners also play a key role in the presentation.
“We do pride ourselves on the state of the property,” Lyn said. “We get a lot of comments about the lawn, how beautiful it is, and how clean the place is. “And the owners have been pretty proactive in renovating and keeping up to speed. Ninety per cent have renovated now that are in the holiday pool which is really, really good so we’ve got some lovely apartments.” Lyn and Michael, who will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary next year, share the duties associated with being on-site managers,
Lyn overseeing administration while Michael focuses on public relations and marketing. They are however advocates of the old adage ‘work smarter, not harder’, believing that approach is the secret to their longevity in the industry. “I love working, love being busy, but we’ve got a lot of our work that we don’t have to physically do and I think that’s what has allowed us to stay on for so long and enjoy it,” Lyn said.
“A lot of other managers, particularly back in the day, used to do everything. They’re up at sparrow’s doing all the morning work, come into the office, work in the office and then they’ve got to field a call at 7 o’clock at night because the kettle doesn’t work.
“If you want to flog yourself, just work for two or three years, fine, do that because it puts more money in your pocket. But to me, it reduces the amount of time that you’re going to enjoy the place.” In their two decades in the industry, Lyn and Michael have observed many changes, none bigger than the arrival of online booking platforms.
“Probably the biggest change is the way bookings come in,” Lyn said.
“The online platform is huge now. I remember when wotif started. Back then it was all last-minute availability. Then other sites came in and it was a job in itself just to keep your online availability up to date. And then everyone was selling all their inventory on the online platforms, it wasn’t just the stressed inventory. “It is still is that way today but now it’s starting to turn around with buildings saying we want people to book direct.”
But despite the changes and the commitment required, Lyn and Michael remain passionate advocates for the industry.
“It’s great,” Lyn said. “It has evolved so much since we first came in but I still think it’s a great mum-and-dad business to be in because you buy yourself a job, you buy yourself a home. How much better can you do? I love it.”
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