IHG Hotels & Resorts, in partnership with Zeal Hotels and Valor Hospitality, has its first lifecycle net-zero carbon hotel in Exeter, UK.
Designed to operate solely on renewable and solar energy, the 142-room voco Zeal Exeter Science Park showcases a sustainable design, featuring Solarlab’s vertical photovoltaic panels as rainscreen cladding.
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It has been built adhering to the Passivhaus standard for ultra-low energy buildings.
The hotel’s commitment to sustainability is further demonstrated through adiabatic cooling, heat-reversible heat pumps, and Ecocrete, a low carbon concrete alternative.
IHG Hotels & Resorts UK and Ireland vice-president and managing director Joanna Kurowska said: “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.”
Guests can access amenities such as a mini gym, gardens, multi-purpose meeting space, and 12 EV charging points.
The topping out of the hotel was celebrated in April 2024.
The hotel has implemented various measures to achieve net-zero carbon construction, targeting an Energy Use Intensity (EUI) of less than 60kWh/m².
The use of CO₂ heat pumps with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 1 for domestic hot water and the inclusion of 60% Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag (GGBS) in the concrete mix are among the strategies employed to reduce the hotel’s carbon footprint.
Zeal Hotels founding director Tim Wheeldon said: “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.”
voco hotels, IHG’s premium brand, continues to expand across Europe, with 29 properties currently open and more than 20 more expected to open in the next three to five years.
In October 2023, IHG announced plans of adding a range of voco hotel properties, marking its expansion in Europe.
This includes signings and openings in Spain, the UK, France, Ireland, Austria, Portugal and Belgium.
