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The dream was never a business —
it was an ever-changing canvas.

One large enough to live in, and wide enough for the whole world.

Close-up selfie of a woman with glasses and a man smiling during their travels.
A group of four family members in winter hats leaning into a huddle smiling at the camera.
Close-up of a happy, fluffy white and brown dog sitting in the grass.

Partners in Everything

Steve and Renée are partners in

life, work, parenting, reinvention, and creative chaos —

united by the belief that true hospitality is about so much more than nice sheets and a decent cup of coffee.

(Although, obviously, they care deeply about both!)

A man and a woman holding their dog on a sunny beach with a pier in the background.

Eastbourne was not the plan...

Before becoming hoteliers, they lived and worked across 11 countries on 4 continents

as aid workers, social entrepreneurs, community-builders and professional “how-on-earth-do-we-make-this-work?” people.

 

When they arrived in London in 2018,

Renée pivoted toward therapy and

Steve worked as a community placemaker

for commercial real estate firms.

Then Covid Changed Everything…

Like many people, they looked at the world a little differently.

 

They realised they weren’t really “work from home” kind of people — unless that home happened to be a bustling, colourful, community-centred hotel full of guests, artists, dogs, charity meetings, half-finished murals, good conversations, and the odd impromptu party.

 

So in 2023, they took on The Sheldon.

A small, fluffy white and brown puppy sitting inside a cardboard moving box.

Newcomers. On Purpose.

They are still new to being hoteliers — and they consider that a feature, not a bug.

Fresh eyes, big ideas, and the occasional expression of panic have served them well so far.

 

Not knowing how to do this, or what 'the rules’ are, has often been a gift in disguise 😉.

It has made it much easier to blend the things they care about-- creativity, community and consciousness-- into a boutique B&B with a very human heart.

Red and golden flowers

The Unexpected Inspiration

Luckily, they are ably assisted by C.K.,

their furry butler.

He greets guests, supervises emotional wellbeing, and accepts compliments and

rub downs with quiet dignity. 

A fluffy white dog running across a green grass field.

He remains — somewhat unfairly — the most mentioned member of the team in online reviews;

Forever reminding us that real hospitality is easy-going, genuine, and lovable… even if it’s cheeky from time to time.

A fluffy dog wearing aviator sunglasses on a pebble beach.
A fluffy dog wearing a black beret hat and a brown bow tie.

Want to be part of it?

Community is one of our core values...

because we know we can’t do this alone!

Nor would we want to. 

If you have gifts to share with the world, please pitch them to us.

 

Co-creation is the spirit of everything we do, and we almost always have room for one more idea—

and one more guest (read: friend)— at the Sheldon. 🙂 

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