A nineteen-year hospitality veteran, Michiel Bakker is a Food and Beverage professional with extensive experience in hotel food and beverage operations, creating and maintaining partnerships with third party restaurant and bar operators, hotel development, hotel openings, and general hotel operations.
Bakker has complemented his work experience with a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality from the Hotel School Maastricht, an MBA from the University of Bradford, and a Master’s Degree in Hospitality Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Appointed Starwood’s Corporate Director of Food and Beverage, New Builds and Transitions in the U.S. in 2004, Bakker was in charge of overseeing and supporting the Food and Beverage programming, all pre-opening Food and Beverage activities at Starwood’s new builds, and conversion properties in the U.S. and Caribbean. In December 2008, Bakker became co-leader of Starwood’s North American Food and Beverage team, and combined his extensive experience with luxury hotels and talent to great success.