The Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow rolled out the red carpet this week to welcome home a very special guest, 50 years on from their tenure as general manager at the prestigious four star hotel.
As part of his 90th birthday celebrations, Ronald F. Jones O.B.E – considered by many as the UK’s greatest hotelier – paid a flying visit to the Grand Central Hotel where he cut his teeth as general manager during an illustrious period of the hotel’s history in the 1960s.
The hotelier – who has overseen countless award-winning hotels including Claridge’s, Gleneagles and the Royal Garden Hotels London – thrilled staff and guests alike with his return to the iconic Glasgow landmark, taking in a meal with family and friends to mark the 50 year anniversary of his time at the helm.
Having rubbed shoulders with both Glasgow’s glitterati and Hollywood greats such as Marlene Dietrich and Laurence Olivier during his spell at the hotel, Ronald and family were able to enjoy the occasion this time as VIP guests.
“When I arrived to take over the management for British Transport Hotels in 1966, it was a Glasgow landmark, soot-blackened and wrapped around two sides of the station,” says Ronald F. Jones O.B.E.
“That’s why this trip was such a joy, to see the hotel restored and thriving, a Glasgow hub once again – no wonder it’s now “The Grand Central”!’
Graeme Gibson, General Manager at the Grand Central Hotel, comments: “The hotel is no stranger to welcoming celebrities and VIPs; however everyone was incredibly excited to hear that Ronald would be attending with friends and family as part of his birthday celebrations and to mark 50 years since his time at the Grand Central.
“Each one of our members of staff knows the rich history of this great hotel and Ronald was certainly at the forefront of a golden age for both the Grand Central and Glasgow in general, hosting some of the world’s most famous film stars and captains of industry. It was a pleasure to welcome Ronald and I’m sure both the meal and service measured up to his high standards and expectations.”
