voco Zeal Exeter Science Park will be managed by Valor Hospitality.
Zeal Hotels has achieved the BREEAM Outstanding rating at the design stage for its voco Zeal Hotel, located at Exeter Science Park. The 142-bedroom hotel is currently on schedule in week 26 of a 75-week construction programme.
Tim Wheeldon, Managing Director, Zeal Hotels said: “It’s exciting to see our innovative sustainability principles being recognised. The project focuses on sustainability and will help transform the established hotel construction and operational benchmarks. It is challenging adopting ESG ethics whilst not diminishing the guest experience and we are looking forward to welcoming guests on our journey.”
Karin Sheppard, SVP Managing Director, Europe for IHG Hotels & Resorts said: “We’re delighted that voco Zeal Exeter Science Park, in partnership with Zeal Hotels, has achieved the BREEAM Outstanding rating at the design stage. This marks another exciting milestone in development of our first ever lifecycle zero carbon hotel, in line with our decarbonisation strategy and Journey to Tomorrow plan. We are committed to shape the future of responsible travel and we’re turning ambition into action through pioneering partnerships like voco Zeal Exeter Science Park.
“This remarkable achievement would not be possible without the hard work of our trusted partners at Zeal Hotels. Together we are pushing the boundaries in implementing innovative sustainable practices. We can’t wait to join them in welcoming guests to this hotel soon.”
The independent BREEAM assessment includes not just energy use and carbon emissions, but also addresses issues around with water consumption, health and wellbeing, pollution, transport, materials, waste, ecology and management. A score of 85% or above must be obtained to achieve Outstanding, the highest possible rating, compared to 70% for an Excellent rating. voco Zeal Exeter Science Park has achieved a certification score of 89.2%.
voco Zeal Exeter Science Park will be located adjacent to J29 of the M5 Motorway and less than a mile away from Exeter Airport.
News of the rating came as the voco Zeal Exeter Science Park was included alongside Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea and 1 Hotels, Melbourne in Roadbook’s list of ‘superlative’ hotel sustainability projects in 2024. It was described as “refreshing to celebrate a more affordable hotel brand doing good in 2024”.
Wheeldon added: “We hope to share our knowledge to help move the industry forwards and achieve our net zero carbon targets together and accelerate the net zero carbon process within the hospitality industry.”
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