Charleen was born and raised in East London, fiercely proud of her Jamaican heritage, and grew up in a diverse and multicultural city. From a young age, she loved learning about others, crafting narratives, and fostering creativity. After completing her degree in Film & TV with Literature in Surrey, she honed her skills in fashion e-commerce and communications with brands such as Reiss and Burberry.

When she moved to Barcelona, she gained boutique hospitality experience, consulting for a stylish apartment rental agency, DestinationBCN - where she met design-focused, travel-conscious consultants, and media and travel PR directors. During this time, she had a travel experience that initiated the creation of Travel & Lust, a stay at an unpleasant guesthouse. At that moment, she realized accommodation's pivotal role in shaping one's overall travel experience.

Motivated by her experience, Charleen set out to curate a collection of stylish, friendly, and accessible accommodations.