Valor Hospitality brings game-changing sustainable management to voco Zeal Exeter Science Park

Global hospitality company, Valor Hospitality, has embarked on the management of IHG Hotels and resorts’ first branded net zero carbon hotel*, including the launch of a new destination restaurant at voco Zeal Exeter Science Park.

Representing a significant shift towards sustainable hospitality, the new ISCA restaurant at voco Zeal Exeter Science Park opens as a celebration of local farmers, fishers and artisans from Devon and Cornwall, with a focus on thoughtful dining inspired by nature.

ISCA, which has an emphasis on local and seasonal cuisine, has been developed by SAVOR, Valor’s food and beverage company. SAVOR is headed up by a team of world-leading culinary experts focused on kitchen and bar innovations.

Offering guests immersive dining with an open theatre kitchen, ISCA features locally grown produce with dishes developed by Head Chef, Andy Short, who brings a background in environmental science to a seasonally-changing menu.

The opening of ISCA comes as IHG Hotels & Resorts and Zeal Hotels launch voco Zeal Exeter Science Park, bringing to life Zeal’s vision for a sustainable upscale hotel, catering for increased demand for environmentally conscious travel.

Valor Hospitality will manage the 142-bedroom hotel, which has been designed to operate entirely on renewable and solar energy. The hotel includes an in-house gym, gardens, meeting space and EV charging points for guests. 

As part of its management, Valor Hospitality has recruited a local team of hosts that have undertaken extensive training to deliver welcoming hospitality with sustainability considered at every touch point.

Honouring the hotel’s net zero carbon status, its BREEAM Outstanding design incorporates two glass atriums to maximise natural light complemented by neutral tones and contemporary features in bedrooms and public spaces. 

Interior trees and foliage help to improve air quality, including Dracaena plants, known for their air purification benefits**. Triple glazing, fresh air ventilation and aerated shower heads also support energy efficiency.

voco Zeal Exeter Science Park represents a new partnership between Valor, IHG Hotels & Resorts and Zeal Hotels, a significant milestone for Valor, which was launched in 2012 by global co-founders, Euan McGlashan and Steve Cesinger. 

Valor Hospitality’s partnership with IHG began in 2014, when Valor began managing 11 IHG-branded hotels in the UK. The relationship has since grown globally to include the delivery of multi-million pound renovations, rebrands and new builds. 

Valor manages 40 hotels in the UK, forming part of a global portfolio of almost 100 hotels across 65 cities and 16 countries, including other well-known global hotel brands and independent hotels. 

Brian McCarthy, President of Valor Hospitality UK & Europe, said:

“We were delighted to be chosen by Zeal Hotels to manage this fantastic hotel. It has been brilliant to work with the Zeal team and see the hotel and ISCA come to life over the past two years. The hotel and its food and beverage offering are testimony to the creativity, resilience, and vision of the owners. The hospitality is innovative and industry leading. It complements the beautifully simple, contemporary design. It will be a gorgeous place for our guests to stay. Thank you to Zeal Hotels for giving us the opportunity.” 

Euan McGlashan, Global Co-Founder and CEO of Valor Hospitality Partners, said:

“We first began a partnership with IHG when we launched in the UK just over a decade ago and over the years we’ve worked on a growing number of hotels to enhance the brand’s offering, applying our global hospitality expertise to continuously revolutionise the guest experience.

“Through the longevity of our role we truly understand the passion behind game-changing hospitality. It’s been an incredible honour for our team to collaborate with IHG and our new partners at Zeal to bring this groundbreaking hotel and the ISCA dining experience to life.”

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 hotel concept alongside a destination restaurant that upholds our values for sustainability.

“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.”

For more information on Valor Hospitality Partners, visit www.ValorHospitality.com.