IHG Hotels & Resorts opens first branded net zero carbon hotel in partnership with Zeal Hotels
IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has opened voco Zeal Exeter Science Park – IHG’s first branded net zero* carbon hotel, in partnership with Zeal Hotels and Valor Hospitality. It has been designed to operate entirely on renewable and solar energy.
As with all voco branded hotels, the 142-room voco Zeal Exeter Science Park has been designed to help guests truly unwind and feel at ease with the use of neutral tones and contemporary features throughout the guest rooms and public spaces. Guests staying at the hotel will have access to a mini gym, gardens, a versatile meeting space and 12 EV charging points. The hotel’s onsite restaurant and bar, ISCA, emphasises the use of locally-sourced ingredients, collaborating with regional farms and producers to offer fresh, responsible dining options.
The voco Zeal Exeter Science Park stands out with its sustainable design, which earned a BREAAM Outstanding rating, a renowned sustainable buildings certification. It is the first building in the UK that has utilised the Solarlab vertical photovoltaic panels as a rainscreen cladding system. It also follows the Passivhaus standard for ultra-low energy buildings and uses adiabatic cooling and heat reversible heat pumps to reduce energy usage.
In line with voco’s commitment to innovation and sustainability and a belief that small steps collectively make a big difference, voco Zeal Exeter Science Park was constructed using materials chosen for their sustainable characteristics and assembled innovatively to achieve best-in-class results. For example, they have used Ecocrete during construction, a low carbon concrete with up to 85% less CO2 than CEM1 (100% cement).
Joanna Kurowska, VP, Managing Director UK & Ireland at IHG Hotels & Resorts, commented: “With a growing number of travellers seeking responsible travel options, we are delighted to open voco Zeal Exeter Science Park. The hotel will bring a new sustainable hotel offer to our UK portfolio and build on our commitment to provide exceptional experiences for our guests.
"Together with Zeal Hotels, voco Zeal Exeter Science Park helps set the standards for net zero carbon hotels and marks a pivotal step towards a more sustainable future in hospitality, aligned with IHG’s Journey to Tomorrow responsible business plan. By inspiring both industry leaders and our guests, we are demonstrating how comfort and sustainability can successfully coexist, benefiting both the environment and the communities we serve.”
Tim Wheeldon, Founding Director, Zeal Hotels, commented: “I am incredibly proud of the team behind the voco Zeal Exeter Science Park, who have worked hard to bring the Zeal Hotels vision to fruition. Our partnerships with IHG Hotels & Resorts and Valor Hospitality have been crucial throughout the development process and we are excited to launch this new sustainable hotel.
"It has been more than a decade since we founded Zeal Hotels, with the intention of helping the hotel sector be net zero carbon by 2050.
“The decision to build our net zero hotel reflects our commitment to combating climate change and reducing our carbon footprint. By harnessing renewable energy sources, implementing energy-efficient designs, and utilising innovative technology, we have created a space that not only provides comfort and luxury but also prioritises environmental responsibility. We are looking forward to sharing our knowledge with others to help accelerate the net zero carbon process across the sector.”
Brian McCarthy, Managing Director, Valor Hospitality, said: “Valor has been a successful partner with IHG for over 10 years in the UK. We are really pleased to be working with them on this first branded net zero carbon hotel. Thank you to Zeal Hotels who chose us as their management partner and gave us an opportunity to work on this cutting-edge project. This is another step in our aspiration to grow our business with great owners.
“voco Zeal Exeter Science Park is dedicated to supporting and forging links with its community, working closely with the Science Park and local students. The hotel aims to serve as a centre for knowledge, sharing insights on sustainable hotel construction and operations, and fostering a culture of learning.”
voco hotels is IHG's fastest growing premium brand, offering a hotel experience that is consistently thoughtful and distinct. Each property is characterised by its individual charm, providing guests with something different while also ensuring the reliability of a global brand. There are currently 29** voco hotels open across Europe with more than 20 due to open in the next three to five years.
**Numbers as at 31 December 2024 unless otherwise stated
