Brisbane’s bold MLR boss: Yun Bai’s story of strength and strategy
Women making their mark in the industry: An exclusive interview with Yun Bai, Cluster General Manager of Brisbane Central for Minor Hotels Australasia.
For Yun Bai, hospitality is more than a career. It is part of her DNA. Raised in Shanghai, she grew up in a vibrant four-star hotel managed by her mother. Her childhood home was a guest room, the hotel kitchen was her pantry, and the staff were like extended family.
“It was a magical way to grow up,” she says with a smile. “I had room service on call, but the downside was I could never sneak in late as a teenager. There was always someone at the front desk ready to report back to the GM—my mum!”
First published in the July edition of Resort News: HERE
That deep connection to the hotel world shaped her path early. After completing a master’s in international hospitality management at the University of South Australia, Yun gained experience across hotel departments before entering the world of management and letting rights (MLR) in 2017. She joined what was then Oceans Hervey Bay as Rooms Division Manager. The resort was later rebranded under the Oaks Hotels, Resorts and Suites banner, which marked the beginning of her journey with Minor Hotels.
Her career accelerated from there. Yun became General Manager of Oaks Brisbane on Charlotte Suites at just 36 years old. In 2023, she was promoted to Cluster General Manager for Brisbane Central and now oversees six Oaks properties within a broader portfolio of 14 across the city.
Most recently, Yun took on one of her biggest challenges yet: launching Queen’s Wharf Residences, a new-build tower within the landmark Queen’s Wharf precinct. The building stands 64 storeys tall and contains 667 lots. Minor Hotels manages the building and holds the exclusive letting rights, including the short-term letting pool.
“This project has been one of the most exciting of my career,” Yun says. “We furnished every apartment in the short-term pool ahead of the May 2025 opening. It was a massive undertaking.”
The opening month aligned with three of Brisbane’s biggest events: Magic Round, the Truck Show and State of Origin. The property was fully booked, and the pressure was on.
In her current role, Yun balances the needs of investors, residents, body corporate representatives, guests and staff. Her responsibilities span financial planning, operations, team leadership, guest satisfaction, owner relations and more. It is a fast-paced, ever-changing role and one that requires sharp attention to detail and strong communication skills.
“It is like being a hotelier, real estate manager and caretaker all in one,” she says. “It is demanding but never boring. I learn something new every day.”
Yun credits her mother as her greatest inspiration. “She ran a 250-room hotel in Shanghai for 30 years while raising a family. She set the bar high and made it look easy. I try to bring that same balance to my work.”
Developing future hospitality leaders is something Yun cares deeply about. She believes the industry has changed significantly in recent years, especially following the challenges of COVID.
“Guests have higher expectations, and recruitment and retention have become more difficult. We need to show young professionals that hospitality is more than a casual job. It can be a rewarding career.
“We have many Gen Z team members who start in guest-facing roles. With the right training, they begin to understand the variety and opportunities this industry offers.”
She describes her leadership style as empowering, empathetic and strategic. She leads by example and encourages her team to grow into leadership roles.
“I never ask my staff to do something I would not do myself. And I always try to think several steps ahead.”
Some of her most rewarding moments have come from team and guest feedback. One guest at Oaks Hervey Bay Resort and Spa enjoyed their stay so much that they purchased an apartment and asked Yun to guide them through the process. Another time, a junior team member told her she was their mentor.
“That was special. It made me feel like I am doing something right.”
To stay motivated, informed and energised, Yun reads Resort News and AccomNews (of course), attends ARAMA and other industry-related events, listens to hospitality podcasts and keeps up with legislative changes. She draws personal inspiration from motivational podcaster Mel Robbins and finds humour in the comedy of Carl Barron.
When she needs to unwind, Yun values quality time with family and friends. She also enjoys letting her hair down with colleagues, often sharing a laugh about the more colourful moments of MLR life. “Sometimes I think we should start a reality show,” she laughs.
Her advice to other women working towards leadership roles in hospitality is simple: “Be bold. Speak up, be firm and believe in yourself.”
Through determination and resilience, Yun Bai is not only leading high-performing teams. She is redefining what leadership in MLR can look like and lifting the game for everyone in the process.
And through it all, she’s building something bigger—reshaping expectations!
And while she’s reshaping expectations in Brisbane, AccomNews is getting ready to spotlight more stories just like hers at NoVacancy 2025.
Join us for our “Meet the Editor” live sessions at the NoVacancy 2025 Expo in Sydney, where Mandy Clarke will be sitting down for relaxed, one-on-one chats with operators, suppliers, and innovators — anyone with a great story to tell.
📧 To book a spot, email Mandy at [email protected]
📱 Or closer to the event, you can secure a time via the NoVacancy app.
And if you miss out? Just swing by the AccomNews stand to say hello and grab the latest edition.
