voco Zeal Exeter Science Park has continued to pursue its strategy of innovation in sustainability with a number of developments at the award-winning property.
Recent programmes have included the installation of a bank of batteries, the trial of a low-impact shower system and a customer information campaign featuring verified data.
The lifecycle net zero carbon hotel has most recently trialled Orbital Shower, a circular shower system designed to reduce fresh water use by up to 90% and energy use by up to 80%, while preserving the comfort and experience guests expect in a premium hotel stay.
In a conventional hotel shower, heated water is used once and then sent directly down the drain. Orbital Shower changes that model, by continually analysing the water during use, filtering and purifying it in real time. Water suitable for recirculation is returned to the shower head, while water that does not meet the system’s criteria is replaced.
Barnaby Kean, general manager at voco Zeal Exeter Science Park, said: “Our guests get a generous, warm shower with no compromise. The hotel is 100% electric and operates entirely on renewable energy. Water and energy costs are rising for everyone and any savings we can make, without diminishing the guest experience, are very welcome.
“Sustainability that also lowers costs is an easy decision. Reclaiming water and heat at the shower is exactly the kind of intelligent, invisible technology that provides sustainable operations without asking guests to give something up.”
Mehrdad Mahdjoubi, founder & chief executive, Orbital Systems, added: “The voco Zeal Exeter Science Park was built to prove that comfort and sustainability can go hand in hand, and the Orbital Shower is a perfect expression of that idea.”
The hotel has sought to further capitalise on its 100% electric, renewable operations by installing a bank of batteries to ensure that it is able to meet the demands of guests around the clock, even at maximum occupancy. The storage capacity has meant that the hotel is self sufficient in terms of energy.
The hotel has also expanded its programme of guest information by adding the CO₂ savings per stay to all guest invoices, bringing to life the benefits of making a sustainable choice.
It has continued to raise the profile of the property and inspire others, taking part in VisitBritain’s My Coast Has The Most campaign and successfully seeking the renewal of its Green Key certification.
The hotel, which was named 2025 opening of the year by IHG Hotels & Resorts, has also won a series of global accolades most recently Large Hotel: New Project and the overall Project of the Year at the prestigious Sustainability in Design Awards 2026, hosted by Hospitality Interiors Magazine.
Kean said: “Since opening in February 2025, voco Zeal Exeter Science Park has set a new benchmark as the first in a planned portfolio of net-zero carbon, fully electric hotels designed to run on renewable energy.
“We believe innovation has to be continuous. The hospitality sector is changing rapidly, and we need to keep challenging conventional approaches to how hotels are designed, built and operated. What works today will not necessarily be enough tomorrow, which is why we have to keep investing in new ideas, technologies and ways of working. Importantly, our experience at voco Zeal Exeter Science Park shows that doing things differently can deliver environmental benefits alongside compelling commercial returns.”
The latest innovations at voco Zeal Exeter Science Park reflect Zeal Hotels’ strong commitment to sustainability. Zeal Hotels is actively exploring opportunities to bring this approach to other strategic locations across the UK, with an ambition to develop hotels that not only minimise their environmental impact but also help shape the future direction of the wider hospitality industry.
Find out more through the voco Zeal Exeter Science Park website and follow them on Instagram.
