Richard Brekelmans
Richard has been a key leader within Starwood and Marriott’s continental teams, serving as Managing Director and Regional Vice President. In this role, he shaped regional business strategy, guiding corporate and property leadership teams in developing and executing initiatives that drove performance, brand preference, and guest loyalty.
He has been closely involved in development efforts and played a pivotal role in pre-opening processes for new builds and conversions, contributing to sustained portfolio growth. Richard also built strong relationships with key customers, optimized sales strategies, and fostered owner loyalty through transparent communication, expectation management, and consistent business results.
A driving force behind the expansion of the W and Edition brands in Europe, Richard worked closely with General Managers to elevate property performance, provide strategic leadership, and cultivate a strong talent pipeline for future growth.
Experience
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Responsible and accountable for the Luxury Collection, Edition and W hotels properties in Europe: 33 Luxury Lifestyle hotels in operation (4 Leased and 29 Managed) as well as 10 hotels in the active pipeline.
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Responsible and accountable for the overall performance of properties within the region (Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Malta): 48 Luxury and Premium hotels in operation (3 Leased and 45 Managed) as well as 9 hotels in the pipeline.
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Responsible and accountable for the overall performance of properties within the region: 21 Luxury and Premium hotels in operation (3 Leased and 18 Managed) as well as 7 hotels in the pipeline (2 in active pre-opening phase).
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Responsible and accountable for the hotel operations and financial results of Starwood´s owned (3) and managed (9) hotels.
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Pre-opening General Manager W Barcelona (473 keys), which opened on-time, on-brand and on-budget on October 1st, 2009, soon to become an Icon in the European Hotel landscape and the number one EBITDA producer of Starwood Hotels & Resorts EAME Division.
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Responsible for The Westin Grand Frankfurt (371 keys), Sheraton Congress (396 keys) and the Sheraton Offenbach (221 rooms). Completed the re-branding and repositioning of the base hotel into The Westin Grand Frankfurt.
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GM at Le Méridien Barcelona (233 keys). Leading a €25 million complete renovation and re-positioning of the property.
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Complex GM for Le Méridien Apollo and The Park Hotel in Amsterdam, with a total of 406 keys. Initiated and implemented the complexing of the two hotels resulting in significant efficiency and cost saving synergies.
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Responsible for the daily operation of the complex L’Habitation and Le Domaine (total 396 keys).
Portfolio of hotels
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Aloft Madrid
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Bulgari Milan
Bulgari Rome (O)
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Hotel Arts Barcelona
Ritz Carlton Abama, Tenerife
Ritz Carlton Penha Longa,Cascais
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St Regis Mardavall, Malorca
St Regis Rome
St Regis Florence
St Regis Venice (O)
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London Edition
Reykjavik Edition
Barcelona Edition (O)
Madrid Edition (O)
Rome Edition (O)
Lake Como Edition (O)
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W Barcelona (L)
W London (L)
W Amsterdam
W Ibiza (O)
W Algarve (O)
W Edinburgh
W Budapest
W Verbier
W Prague (O)
W Florence (O)
W Sardinia (O)
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Gritti Palace, Venice
Cala di Volpe, Costa Esmeralda - Sardinia
Pitrizza, Costa Esmeralda - Sardinia
Romazzino, Costa Esmeralda - Sardinia
Excelsior Hotel Gallia Milan
Casa Brera, Milan (O)
Prince de Galles, Paris
Park Tower Knightsbridge, London
Grande Bretagne, Athens
King George, Athens
Pine Cliffs, Algarve
Alfonso XIII, Sevilla (L)
Maria Cristina, San Sebastian (L)
Castillo, Mallorca
Marques de Risal, Rioja
Bristol Vienna
Goldener Hirsch, Salzburg
Bristol, Warsaw
Augustine, Prague
Convento do Espinheiro, Evora (F)
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JW Marriott Venice
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Le Méridien Barcelona
Le Méridien RA Beach resort, Tarragona
Le Méridien Lisbon
Le Méridien Amsterdam
Le Méridien St Martin, F.W.I.
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Renaissance Barcelona
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Westin Palace Madrid
Westin Palace Milan
Westin la Quinta, Marbella
Westin Excelsior Florence
Westin Excelsior Rome
Westin Dragonara Malta
Westin Valencia
Westin Grand Frankfurt
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Sheraton Hotel Cervo, Sardinia
Sheraton San Siro, Milan
Sheraton Malpensa, Milan
Sheraton Diana Majestic Milan (L)
Sheraton Grand Salzburg
Sheraton Rhodes
Sheraton Lisbon
Sheraton Mallorca
Sheraton la Caleta, Tenerife
Sheraton El Paular, Rascafria
Sheraton Congress, Frankfurt
Sheraton Offenbach
Sheraton Fuerteventura (F)
Sheraton Salobre, Gran Canaria (F)
Sheraton Cascais (F)
Sheraton Mirasierra Madrid (F)
Sheraton Porto (F)
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Marriott Lisbon