Fireside Chat with Lake Breeze Resort
Our latest Fireside Chat brought together the rezStream team and long-time customer Gena Aldrich, owner of Lake Breeze Resort at the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks. Gena has been a part of the rezStream community for years, originally using our desktop software before returning to rezStream Cloud after trying two competitor systems.
About Lake Breeze Resort
Lake Breeze Resort features 17 units, a boat rental operation, boat slips, a mini convenience store, and on-site activities that draw both fishermen in spring/fall and families in the summer.
A few things that set them apart:
- Location: Easy access from the main highway and close to the Ozark Amphitheater.
- Community: A family-like atmosphere where guests return year after year.
- Cleanliness: The #1 priority, especially with vintage units.
- Technology + Marketing: Savvy use of Facebook, Instagram, and automation tools.
- Hospitality: Unrivaled attention to guest relationships with things like courtesy pickups for guests from a local bar or restaurant, boat rides with guests, and hands-on care.
As Gena puts it:
“They’re like family. If their car breaks down, we go get them. If they’re stuck on the lake, we pick them up.”
A little about Gena
What makes Lake Breeze so special? Gena herself.
With a love for vintage aesthetics, extremely high standards for cleanliness, and a social, community-oriented approach to hospitality, she has built genuine, long-lasting relationships with her guests.
She jokes that running the resort is “like dating” in that guests know within minutes whether they feel comfortable and welcome. For Gena, first impressions matter, and she and her team pour energy into making sure every guest feels at home.
She’s also deeply hands-on, witty, and wonderfully honest, whether she’s talking about software efficiency, housekeeping processes, or sharing beers with guests while grilling by the lake.
Challenges: We all have them.
Like many lakefront mom-and-pop resorts, Lake Breeze competes against a mix of other aging small properties and some large corporate developments. Here’s what Gena sees as her biggest challenges:
Competing in a Growing Market
More large companies are buying land and developing high-end condos. Many mom-and-pops resist new technology — so Lake Breeze stands out primarily through smarter marketing and better guest engagement.
Appealing to Younger Guests
Generational shifts mean the long-time regulars aren’t always replaced by younger travelers. Social media marketing (Instagram/TikTok) remains important for attracting younger guests.
Housekeeping Complexity
Their housekeeping needs are unique and highly detail-oriented. Gena offered several suggestions to enhance rezStream’s housekeeping section based on how her staff works day-to-day.
Boat Rental Management
The resort relies heavily on boat slips and boat rentals — and this wasn’t easily supported in competitor systems or off-the-shelf solutions.
Managing Cancellations
As a small resort with limited inventory, last-minute cancellations hit hard. Gena wants to streamline and automate cancellation handling to reduce emotional conversations and protect revenue.
Solutions & Why She Returned to rezStream
Gena has used three different PMS platforms and ultimately returned to rezStream Cloud because of:
- Efficiency & Fewer Clicks
Gena repeatedly emphasized:
“rezStream is designed efficiently. You notice it when you’re doing the same tasks all day long.” - An Exceptional U.S.-Based Support Team
She praised the help desk extensively.
Unlike previous experiences with outsourced support, she appreciates talking to real humans who solve the actual problem—not just close tickets. - Powerful Features Competitors Charged Extra For
- Waitlist
- Event overlays on the occupancy map
- Easy-to-read tape chart (room calendar matrix)
- Efficient resource management for boat slips
- Built-in messaging options
- A POS That Works for Her Guests
The ability to “put it on my room” was a must at Lake Breeze. rezStream’s POS eliminated hours of manual entry and worked seamlessly with their setup. - Fair, Honest Pricing
After trying competitors:“I couldn’t get out fast enough—the pricing was outrageous.”
- Integration with Akia
This combination helps Gena:- Streamline pre-arrival registration
- Automate door code delivery
- Collect reviews from happy guests
- Intercept unhappy guests before reviews go public
- Reduce front-desk strain for her small team
Results
Across 14 years, Gena has built:
- One of the most successful mom-and-pop resorts on the lake
- A fiercely loyal repeat guest base
- Efficient operations powered by rezStream + Akia
- A standout online presence in a competitive market
- A property that has generated strong interest from prospective buyers
She’s proud of the business she built — and we’re proud that rezStream could be part of her journey.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Gena hopes the resort continues to modernize, embrace the technology that’s helped her thrive, and expand into new audiences while retaining the heart of what makes the resort special.
Join the Conversation
Have a story like Gena’s? Interested in sharing your experience with other independent lodging owners?
We’d love to feature you in an upcoming Fireside Chat! Reach out if you'd like to participate.