STEM™ was founded in 2011 by Robert van Eerde as a “Hands On” Consulting company. The company was founded at that time because there was a clear need for support and guidance for the smaller independent hotel market who were struggling to survive due to a stalling economy worldwide.
The company has since evolved in a hotel management company dedicating and specializing only in true boutique hotels. The first property was established in China where it is now busy and successful building a reputation in a new flourishing market. The hotel has also added to it’s profile in Miami Beach USA and is since 2014 aiming to expand worldwide.
STEM’s aim is to be the solution for those hotel owners who do not want to be involved in the day to day management of their property but still will enjoy the relationship with the property but is financially secure and in safe hands.
The company intends not to create a huge corporate structure but a lean and affective one. The success relies on effective management at hotel property and to spread the costs as much as possible using the family of hotels as much as possible.
Prior to entering the hospitality world, he was a financial consultant for various small and midsize businesses in the Greater Miami area.
Stefan’s hospitality career took off in 2003 when he began working for some of the world’s leading cruise lines. As a senior manager within the onboard hotel departments for over 4 years, Stefan managed within the hotel department on various Princess and Cunard vessels sailing internationally. He devised and implemented onboard marketing strategies and ensured adherence to corporate policy and procedure. He was in charge of preparing complex financial reports for onboard and shore-side senior management and regularly conducted performance audits of fleet-wide hotel personnel.
After returning to hotel operations on land, Stefan embarked on a new challenge by helping establish front of house policies and procedures for Gansevoort South Beach, a $500 million condo hotel project in South Beach. Along with Robert van Eerde, principal of STEM™ Hotels, he was part of the opening team for the 334-room property and, over the course of four years, worked as both Front Office Manager and Director of Operations.
In 2011, Stefan joined STEM™ Hotels and followed his true passion of working on boutique hotel projects worldwide. He was instrumental in the creation and operation of six high-end properties for the Qatari Royal Family in Doha: Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels. He functioned as opening GM for three of these properties and, amongst others, was tasked with managing the pre-opening of Qatari-owned Adria Hotel in London, England.
Shifting his focus further east since 2013, Stefan was a key player in turning a small courtyard property, Red Wall Garden Hotel, into Beijing’s Number 1 Hotel as rated by Tripadvisor. Whilst in China he was involved in numerous other projects building up his Chinese experience in particular getting hotels off the ground.
Michael has a wealth of experience focusing on business development after having worked in hotels in various positions but this clearly became his forte over time. Working on behalf of owners and particularly with Epoque a boutique hotel representation company now based in Kuala Lumpur that Michael build up his own vast network of people, government agencies and hotel owners all over China.
For over 5 years. Michael was very much responsible for the success of expanding Epoque in China. Michael managed to expand the Epoque network to just under 30 boutique hotels throughout China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. During this time Michael’s skill and ability in creating warm fruitful relationships by combining and interpreting his knowledge on successful Western business practices and tying those in with Chinese business culture is second to none.
Michael decided to be associated with STEM™ in China in order to develop this skill and to be part of something new and exciting looking ahead of the booming boutique hotel business in China. Michael vision of a “True Boutique” hotel management in his native country he see as the opportunity of a lifetime. Michael is adamant to be part and parcel of the inevitable continuous growth of boutique hotels and wants to be ahead of most others.
Michael was invited to the STEM® to build the business in China not only because of his amazing business ability in working with different cultures building successful hotel businesses but also because Robert and Michael have a very similar outlook in life. This both regard as a key ingredient in true boutique hotels culture and very much part of success.
Robert founded STEM™ in 2010 as there is a clear need for boutique hotels to have professional support. The company has numerous projects around the world , Middle east, Far east, Europe and USA and is also a partner/owner of a hotel Operating Company Hspot Hotels in China.
Notable projects have included:
The Clarence Hotel, Dublin Ireland General Manager for 5 years for 5 star boutique hotel owned by Bono and the Edge of the rock band U2. The Clarence garnered top accolades under van Eerde’s leadership, including recognition as one of The Leading Small Hotels of the World and many prestigious awards, such as inclusion as one of the “top 15 Boutique hotels in Europe” by Travelers magazine.
The Standard, Miami Beach Florida Regional Director of Operations for maverick hotelier Andre Balazs for 2.5 years. Robert served as on site GM for The Raleigh and opened and established The Standard, Miami Beach, a pioneer contemporary Urban Spa which was awarded the Conde Naste Readers Choice Award as Best Spa Hotel in the Americas and the Caribbean for 2009.
Carnegie Club at Skibo Castle, Highlands Scotland General Manager for 5 years of very exclusive 7500 acre, 50-room resort with two golf courses, clubhouse, spa and extensive country pursuits. Executing on the vision of legendary entrepreneur, Peter de Savary.
The Gansevoort South, Miami Beach Florida Managing Director of a startup $500 million condo hotel project in South Beach, overlooking the Ocean. He successfully opened the 334 room multi-purpose property in late 2008 before leaving to begin developing STEM LLC.
The Almenara Golf, Hotel and Spa, Andalucía SpainOpening General Manager for a startup 125-room property with multiple F&B outlets, health club, 2 golf courses and golf academy.
Marina Club, Abu Dhabi, UAE General Manager for an exclusive member-only, boutique resort on the Persian Gulf.
Every STEM® True Boutique Hotel is a Lifestyle Hotel.
But not Every Lifestyle Hotel is a STEM® True Boutique Hotel.