Onno Schreurs

“The best hospitality businesses are always based on key ingredients - consistency in terms of the quality of food, service, lighting, music and the décor of the venue itself. Every aspect should be considered, but it’s the combination of all of these that make a concept work. If there is no soul, there is no success. I believe this applies as much to a person’s approach to their career as it does a successful business.”

Onno Schreurs

Onno Schreurs came to Shanghai in early 2006 after ten years of hospitality success in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Proficient in 5 languages, Onno was always drawn to an international path, and so it proved when he left his position as General Manager of world-renowned Club-Rain. Joining the 5* Le Royal Méridien hotel in the heart of Shanghai, the decision to relocate is one he has been delighted with ever since.

“After the opening of Club-Rain I wanted more, and always had ambitions to work in different cities around the world. Shanghai caught me so I stayed. There is such great potential for the hospitality industry in China - I could not imagine working anywhere else.”

Onno first managed a bar at the young age of 20, and soon moved on to senior roles at such prestigious establishments as Het Slot Castle in Zeist (NH Hotels), the 4* Hotel Mercure Noordwijk (Accor) and the Beach Club MECCA in the Hague. Consolidating this ‘hands-on’ approach, Onno took an advanced degree at the International University of Hotel Management in the Hague, working with numerous other 5* establishments along the way.

Nearing graduation, Bas van Dam and Robin Chadha asked Onno to prepare a business plan for the opening of Amsterdam’s Club-Rain in 2004. After securing a multi-million dollar investment on the back of his research, Onno was hired as General Manager, going on to pioneer a new restaurant-come-club concept that would propel Club-Rain to the forefront of the Amsterdam night-life scene.

Attracted by the dynamism of the hotel and restaurant industry in Shanghai, Onno elected to join Le Royal Méridien in 2006, where he designed the menus and hospitality concepts for 8 outlets in this world-famous hotel chain. While managing three of its famed cocktail bars, including the multi award-winning 789 Bar Lounge on the 66th floor, a group of leading UK investors approached Onno to found restaurant-come-club The Collection in the affluent area of Xintiandi.

As Managing Director, Onno moved quickly to set up a contemporary Japanese restaurant and exclusive nightclub hotspot SUGAR, winning numerous awards along the way. Key to his success was an ability to attract a passionate and talented team, including Anthony Qin Tao, regarded at the best pastry chef in China (currently at The Grand Hyatt, Hong Kong), and famous cocktail artist Theo Watt (founder of DRINK Magazine Asia).

This network of contacts soon led Onno to take the position of General Manager at Lounge 18 on the Bund, revitalizing the club and cementing its reputation as one of the most famous nightspots in China. Of most relevance at this time, however, was a chance meeting with Siem Bierman, and this has led Onno to develop the concept of a recruitment and consultancy company that would offer hospitality solutions on a much wider scale.

Onno also currently holds the position of Managing Director of the China and Hong Kong arm of DININGCITY.COM, an international website that allows customers to research and book the highest quality restaurants in cities all over the world.

If you would like to get in touch with Onno directly, please send an email to onno@schreurs-bierman.com