Sustainability Spotlight | voco Zeal Hotel Exeter
Winner of the Food Drink Devon Sustainability Pioneer Award 2026, the voco Zeal Exeter is a 142-bedroom hotel, located at Exeter Science Park.
Opened in February 2025, the hotel was designed with sustainability at its heart, considering the impact of every aspect of the guest experience, from the building itself and how it is powered, to the food we serve and the suppliers we work with.
The whole team is committed to demonstrating that a hotel can offer a comfortable and enjoyable experience while taking a considered approach to its environmental impact and contributing positively to the local community.
We asked Beth Ardron, Director of Sales and Marketing, to tell us more. Her standout message is "Sustainability is about progress, not perfection". Wise words! Read on for the full interview.
What have you done to make your business more sustainable?
Harnessing technology
Sustainability has been considered from the outset at voco Zeal, rather than being something introduced after the hotel was built.
The hotel is entirely electric, with electric heating, cooling and cooking, meaning there is no gas on site. Approximately 1,850 square metres of solar panels generate renewable electricity for the hotel, producing around 300,000 kWh each year and enabling the hotel to operate as a net energy producer.
The building follows Passivhaus-style design principles, with triple glazing, high levels of insulation and exceptionally airtight construction. Rather than relying on conventional air conditioning, a fresh-air ventilation system maintains a comfortable environment while reducing energy consumption.
We also use technology to monitor and reduce our environmental impact. Our Winnow food monitoring system tracks kitchen waste, helping us identify opportunities to reduce it, while seasonal, low-waste menus make the most of ingredients through techniques such as pickling, brining and vacuum sealing.
PMI Go Green software, linked to our property management system, provides daily sustainability performance data, helping management and owners monitor progress and identify areas for improvement. Even our evening table lights reflect our approach to sustainability, being locally produced using recycled plastic waste and 3D printing.
The importance of nature
Nature is an important part of the hotel too. Two planted atriums bring trees and greenery into the heart of the building, while our outdoor areas include a wild garden with wildflowers, wild strawberries and a bug hotel. We have also supported local biodiversity projects, including the creation of dormouse houses at Clyst Meadows, bat box installation and hedge building at Broadclyst Station, as well as local litter-picking initiatives.
Supporting local suppliers
Our approach extends to what we serve at ISCA Restaurant & Bar. We work with local and regional suppliers wherever possible, supporting businesses across the South West and making the most of the excellent produce available on our doorstep.
Our menus feature ingredients such as Dartmoor beef, fish from Brixham and Newlyn, Cornish potatoes and locally grown herbs and produce. This helps reduce food miles while supporting the regional economy.
Our people
Our commitment also involves our people. Every employee completes the Zeal Sustainability Course, delivered in partnership with Positive Planet and Valor Hospitality, while all Heads of Department are working towards Carbon Literacy Certification. This ensures sustainability is understood and embedded at every level of the business.
Our approach has been recognised through Green Key, Green Tourism Gold and EcoSmart Gold, alongside recognition from a number of regional sustainability and tourism awards.
What would you like to change to improve your sustainability credentials further?
An ongoing commitment
We see sustainability as an ongoing commitment rather than something that can simply be completed. Our focus is to continue reducing energy consumption and waste, particularly food waste and unnecessary packaging, while making the most effective use of the renewable energy generated on site.
Having invested in technology such as Winnow and PMI Go Green, we want to make increasingly effective use of the data these systems provide to identify further opportunities for improvement and measure our progress.
Developing relationships
We would also like to continue developing our relationships with local suppliers and producers, increasing our use of South West products wherever possible and further strengthening our contribution to the local economy.
Alongside this, we want to build on the work we have already undertaken to support biodiversity around the hotel and within the wider Exeter community.
We also hope to develop our role as an education hub for sustainability, sharing what we have learned with guests, local organisations and other businesses to encourage more responsible practices.
Continue learning
Perhaps most importantly, we want to continue learning. Sustainability is constantly evolving, and we believe it is important to regularly review our approach, measure our progress and look for new ways to improve.
What are your tips for other businesses that want to become more sustainable?
Start by understanding where your biggest environmental impacts are and focus on the areas where you can make the greatest difference.
Measuring your baseline is a useful first step, whether that is energy, waste, travel or purchasing. Technology can be a valuable tool here: systems such as food waste monitoring and sustainability performance software can help you understand where resources are being used and identify practical opportunities to improve.
Think about sustainability from the outset, rather than treating it as something to retrofit later.
Whether you are planning a new building, reviewing your energy supply or making purchasing decisions, consider the environmental impact at every stage. Small innovations, such as using recycled materials or finding ways to reduce food waste, can make a meaningful difference.
Involve your team and suppliers too.
Sustainability works best when it becomes part of everyday decision-making, rather than the responsibility of one person. Training and education are important in helping everyone understand the part they can play, while working with local suppliers can benefit both the environment and the local economy.
Don't try to change everything at once.
Set realistic priorities, make practical changes and measure the difference they make. Share what you learn with customers, colleagues and the wider community, as encouraging others to take action can extend your impact well beyond your own business.
Sustainability is about progress, not perfection. The important thing is to start, keep learning and look for opportunities to do things better.
Find out more about voco Zeal Hotel on their website.
Find voco Zeal at Exeter Science Park, Babbage Way, Exeter EX5 2FN