Meet the Resident Team

Behind every great tortoise boarding service is a team of shell-wearing personalities. Meet some of the much-loved resident tortoises who help make The Tortoise Hotel feel like home.

Head of Security & Human Trainer

MANUEL

Manuel is the great character of The Tortoise Hotel. Rehomed after outgrowing life with another male tortoise, he quickly found his place here and has never looked back.

Active, mischievous and always alert, Manuel treats the garden as his patrol zone. If a gate opens, he is first there. If you run, he follows. If you start work, Manuel appears to supervise. If there is a hole, he is already in it.

Whether officially appointed or self-elected, Manuel is unquestionably Head of Security.

Sunshine Manager

Daisy May

Daisy is a much-loved rescue tortoise who was left on the doorstep in a washing-up bowl, with promises that someone would return. Sadly, nobody ever did.

When Daisy arrived, she slowly learned she was safe, cared for and no longer needed to be afraid. With patience and support, her confidence blossomed and she quickly embraced life.

After a careful quarantine period, Daisy formed a close bond with Tess and the two have been inseparable ever since. Her lumpy shell reflects the past, but her spirit shows resilience.

Chief Executive Officer

Tess

Tess is the largest female tortoise at The Tortoise Hotel and carries herself with quiet confidence. Calm, steady and impossible to ignore, she naturally commands attention.

With years of experience and a no-nonsense approach, Tess is widely regarded as running the entire establishment. She values order, routine and sensible behaviour, with little patience for unnecessary drama.

After Daisy completed quarantine, Tess welcomed her into the team and the two quickly formed a close bond. Manuel may occasionally challenge Tess’s leadership, but nobody takes it seriously.

Welfare Ambassador

Costa

Costa’s story is one of rescue, recovery and a second chance. He arrived after being kept in a tiny vivarium with constant heat, nowhere to hide, unsuitable bark substrate and dried food with no water. By the time he came to us, Costa was desperately unwell, tired and grey. During recovery, he would rest beside a warm Costa coffee cup, which earned him his name. With patient care, warmth and proper husbandry, Costa made a remarkable recovery and is now cheeky, energetic and full of life.

Returning Guest Relations Director

Basil

Basil’s story is one of the most special in Tortoise Hotel history. He was a rescue tortoise discovered after the sad passing of an elderly lady who had quietly kept him as a companion for many years.

When Basil arrived, he was withdrawn and barely ate for almost three months. During an educational visit, a young girl sat quietly beside him on the grass. Basil slowly climbed onto her lap and began to eat.

Basil later thrived and still returns to visit, mainly to check standards remain high.

Director of Future Developments

Olivia

Olivia’s story is one of tiny beginnings, steady growth and a bright future. Hatched during our breeding programme, she was so small and special that we simply could not part with her.

From the beginning, Olivia showed quiet determination and character far beyond her size. With careful support, warmth and the right environment, she has grown into a strong, confident and beautiful young tortoise.

Full of promise and personality, Olivia represents everything The Tortoise Hotel believes in: patience, care and giving tortoises the chance to thrive.

About Debbie Gee

Hello, I’m Debbie.

I’m the founder of the Tortoise Hotel®, which I established in 1996. What began as a passion for Mediterranean tortoises has grown into one of the UK’s pioneering specialist tortoise boarding and hibernation services.

For more than 30 years, I’ve been fortunate enough to care for hundreds of tortoises. Every one has taught me something, and that experience has shaped the way I care for my own animals and the advice I freely share with owners across the UK.

I’m passionate about education because I believe that most tortoise owners genuinely want to do the right thing. Sadly, many have simply been given outdated or conflicting advice. Helping owners understand their tortoises better has always been one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.

Alongside the Tortoise Hotel, I’m also a trustee of FoodShare, a local charity that’s very close to my heart. Supporting people in our community and improving the welfare of animals may seem like two very different things, but they both come from the same place: a belief that kindness, knowledge and practical support can make a real difference.

I’m committed to continually improving my knowledge. I have completed the TT Foundation Course in tortoise and turtle care and continue to follow the latest research into Mediterranean tortoise nutrition, husbandry and welfare. That commitment to learning is what eventually led to the development of Manuel’s Choice™ and Manuel’s Secret Blend™, which were created first for my own tortoises before being made available to others.

I’m also the creator of the Tortoise Hotel Keeper’s Guide, a pioneering tortoise care app for Apple and Android, designed to help both new and experienced keepers provide the very best care.

Whether you’re leaving your tortoise with us for boarding, looking for advice, or simply wanting to learn more, thank you for visiting. I hope the knowledge we’ve built over the last three decades helps you give your tortoise the happiest, healthiest and most natural life possible.