An Interview With The Queens Hotel General Manager

Name: Erol Uray

Job Title: General Manager

Tell us about yourself and your role?   

I have been working in hospitality for over 18 years and in the UK for 12 years with some time in London. My role is to lead the team in delivering an excellent customer service experience to ensure that the story behind the Queens hotel is brought to life. I also want the Queens Hotel Cheltenham Mgallery by Sofitel is talked about within the community in Cheltenham even more than it already is.

What made you take on the role at The Queens Hotel?

The Queens Hotel is an really exciting hotel and Cheltenham is a great town to live and work. 

Tell us all about the business? What makes it different? What’s interesting?

The Queens hotel is a place for business and leisure alike. It is the perfect place to stay when visiting Cheltenham as it is in the centre of the town. An event or wedding in the Queens Hotel will also take you back into the regency period. Whether you would like to have a quiet dinner in the Napier restaurant, try one of our 50 GINs in our Gold Cup Bar, have a delicious Queens afternoon tea or just relax in our garden, it is just the right place to be in Cheltenham.

The story behind the Queens hotels is what makes it different. It is amazing to imagine the personalities which walked through these doors and stayed in the hotel. For example. King Edward VII, Sir Charles Napier, Bob Hope, Glenn Miller, Ralph Richardson and many more.

Conjure a picture for our readers. What is The Queens like?

The Queens Hotel Mgallery by Sofitel is reviving the source of Her Majesty's heritage. Reborn from the glory of her neoclassical past, Queens Hotel Cheltenham invites you to experience another era, one steeped in opulence and refinement. Take a few steps back into an age of pure comfort and style, while enjoying all the modern comforts cleverly blended into this exquisite boutique hotel.

Best way to book a room?

www.accorhotels.com or www.queenshotelcheltenham.co.uk

Do you accept children?

Yes, but we have only a limited number of family rooms. 

Do you accept dogs?

Guide dogs only. 

What might a reader be surprised to learn about The Queens?

The Queens hotel was supposed to be called The Royal Victoria after Queen Victoria, but was later decided to be called The Queens Hotel. You can see this on the arches on the front of the hotel with the letter “VR”. 

Now we want to hear about YOUR Cheltenham…

If you were visiting Cheltenham for the day, where would you go and why? This can be things to do, places to eat etc.

I would visit the famous Cheltenham Racecourse, go see a show in the beautiful Everyman Theatre, see St. Mary Minster which is the oldest building in Cheltenham or take a stroll through the beautiful Gardens of Pitville Park to witness the gorgeous regency building of Cheltenham Pump Rooms.  

What are your top five must-see places / must do things in Cheltenham?

1. The word-famous Cheltenham Festivals

2. Have a tour around Cheltenham Racecourse 

3. Pittville Park and the Pump Rooms

4. Take a picture in front of the Queens Hotel 

5. Have a pint in the Sandford Park Alehouse

If you could only do one thing in Cheltenham, what would it be and why?

Visit the racecourse during the raceweek in March to soak up buzz and the atmosphere in Cheltenham.