Sean Evans

Owner and Manager

I became Manager at The Sweeney in 1993 when my wife Kara’s parents bought the hotel, and I was ‘called backed’ from my job in London. When I first saw the hotel it had a lovely feel, but I instantly knew there were changes I would like to make, and over the years I have been able to introduce them!

After spending 13 years running the hotel, Kara and I had the opportunity to purchase the business from her parents and to become its sole owners, this was an opportunity we have embraced ever since!

Our family is at the heart of The Sweeney; Kara and I have 6 children, 4 of whom have worked in the hotel at some point whilst growing up, with our 6 dogs making up the family group.

I was born in Aberdovey, Mid Wales and started my career in hospitality very young, helping out at a friend’s B&B when I was only ten years old, however, by the time I was sixteen I began working as their manager thoughout the summer months… and I loved it!

Knowing this was the career for me, I studied Hotel and Catering Management at Bournemouth University; during this course I was delighted to spend 6 months in Lucerne (Switzerland) at the renowned Carlton Tivoli Hotel, gaining an insight in to all aspects of the industry.

On completing my degree Kara and I moved to London where I took the post of Trainee Bar Manager with My Kinda Town at Henry J Beans, owned by Boby Payton a man often attributed to bringing American-style food to the UK!

Staying in the same restaurant group I then moved to be Duty Manager at the Pizza Pie Factory in Hanover Square before taking the post as the Assistant General Manager at the Rib Shack in Knightsbridge. After a refurbishment at the Pizza Pie Factory I was promoted to General Manager, which at the age of 24 made me the youngest ever General Manager the company had.

Working within Bob Payton’s empire at My Kinda Town, it was exciting to see an industry leader and innovator at work, bringing with him some of the American service standards that have set the bar for the industry today.