The Sheldon B&B

We were in Eastbourne for the tennis. Very close and easy walk and free parking. Staff were great and the breakfast was 5 Star. We will book again when the tennis is not on. Many thanks

My first visit to the Sheldon was a lovely surprise... Flowers on the steps.. A beautifully planted garden... And I wasn't disappointed with the rest of the hotel... Staff, b/fast, bed, my whole stay was a delight..

Having read the excellent reviews, we were confident that our one-night stay would meet, or even exceed, our expectations. Unfortunately, we were extremely disappointed. While this B&B does have a lot to offer, our major issue was with the room we were allocated — Room 25 — which appeared only partially refurbished. The room had been recently painted and a new window had been fitted, but the carpet was stained and threadbare. Ironically, there was a mat outside the room asking guests to “please remove shoes.” The top securing bolt on the bed was missing (thankfully, it didn’t affect the bed’s stability), but the ensuite was the biggest letdown — it was in poor condition and far from inviting. Specific issues included: • A rusty shower pole with a visible rust stain running down the wall • Stained sealant in the shower cubicle • An extractor vent covered in dust • A dirty pull cord • Heavily stained base of the toilet • Enamel casing at the base of the shower cubicle cracked or missing • The panel at the back of the toilet system was unpainted (see photos) Additionally, the shower cubicle was very small (approximately 30 x 30 inches), and the legroom while seated on the toilet was cramped, with the sink positioned very close. These could be real issues for larger guests. To be fair, the ensuite didn’t have any unpleasant odours. Why Didn’t We Complain? We didn’t request a room change for several reasons: 1. The bedding, pillows, and towels were fresh and of good quality. 2. We were only staying for one night and wanted to start exploring Eastbourne as soon as we could. 3. We assumed the B&B was fully booked — otherwise, why would we have been placed in this room? 4. We didn’t want to create any hassle or stress for such a short stay. When we checked in, the lady at reception did mention, “You have a budget room.” However, when we booked through Booking.com, there was no indication that rooms were graded or that we had booked a lower-tier option. The Positives Had we been allocated a room in acceptable condition, we would have been more than happy, because this B&B genuinely has a lot to offer: • Great location, close to the beach and amenities • Free parking • Elevator access • Pleasant breakfast and lounge area • Good selection of cereals, coffee, and drinks, plus the option of a cooked breakfast • Friendly and professional staff (the lady who checked us in was very welcoming) Final Thoughts If we had been staying for more than one night, we would have requested a room change. Would we recommend this B&B? Probably yes, as most of the excellent reviews suggest the majority of rooms are to a good standard. We would advise future guests to double-check which room type they are booking and, if necessary, ask for a refurbished one.

We had such a lovely stay at the Sheldon Hotel. Very warm welcome from the hosts and the staff. The bed was amazing! and the room was spotlessly clean. The Sheldon is very near to the beachfront and the Pier, so an excellent location for having a ramble through Eastbourne. The breakfast was great - excellent range of choices, different kinds of coffees, and hot breakfast made to order. lovely place, lovely vibe.

Great location, excellent staff & free parking a good asset. Room small but excellent breakfast & very central location. Owners can’t do enough for you! But work needed on bathroom that was a bit tired.

Our stay here was a really delightful experience. More like staying with family than a formal hotel. Our room was immaculate and we were impressed by the quality of the bedlinen and towels. Our host, Steve, was on hand to help with some questions about Eastbourne and we were particularly impressed by all the extras provided - an honesty bar in the comfortable lounge, tea and coffee, and even a microwave and fridge for those who wanted to bring in their own food. Breakfast was very good. A help yourself buffet for cereals etc and then a good choice on the a la carte menu. Disappointingly we were only booked for one night - we would have liked to stay longer!

Excellent B&b close to the seafront with the huge advantage of free parking. Friendly staff, large comfortable room with quality furnisihings. we would definitely stay here again. Oh and a friendly welcome from CK the dog too!

Had a great stay here for my partners 30th. First of all the free parking is a massive bonus in Eastbourne! It’s a little tight but arrive early and reverse in your space and you’ll have no issues in the morning. Steve was really nice and checked us in and was very helpful and showed us around and explained everything we needed to know. Also loved getting to meet resident dog CK when we checked in. Our room was comfortable, bed and bathroom were clean which is most important thing to me! All the amenities you need were there and free WiFi was good too in our first floor room. We could hear external extractor fan at times but this didn’t turn on at all over night so wasn’t an issue. Breakfast included in room rate was great, cereals, fruit, juices yoghurt and toast from the continental. Plus we went for a veggie breakfast and omelette from the hot menu which came out quickly and was hot and nice quality very much enjoyed. The young lady who served us at breakfast was really polite too. The location is ideal for Eastbourne seafront and town centre and walks to beachy head. We used the room guide for food recommendations and had a great meal in the recommended Thai restaurant. The room rate was really reasonable when you consider the location and fact that free breakfast and parking was included! We were really impressed and had a lovely stay thank you.

I'd love to keep this hotel a secret, but that would be selfish! This is a fabulous hotel. The outside is stunning. Beautiful and historic architecture and a lovely well- kept garden. Greeted by CK the lovely dog, and Steve the owner on arrival, Steve uttered the magic words that I was being upgraded for no extra charge! To the stunning room 15. The whole interior of the hotel is gorgeous and room 15 is no exception. Absolutely huge, and classy. What a treat! Such a comfortable bed and lovely toiletries in both the separate toilet and shower. Quiet, and full of light. I slept so well. Breakfast options are healthy and tasty and right up there with modern preferences, and cooked to perfection. The dining room, as with all the other public rooms, has a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere, and of course everything is absolutely spotless. All the staff that I met are friendly and helpful and always seem to be smiling. That makes for a good start to anyone's day. The location is within a few steps to the sea and there are local little shops and nice restaurants dotted around quite close by. I've already booked my next stay. Thank you all!

Really friendly and helpful staff. Room was perfect. Everywhere very clean. Interior design was fabulous with some great artwork throughout. Sadly we didn’t meet CK the dog. Will definitely be coming back next time we visit Eastbourne!!