Tucked away on a tidal island off the South Devon coast, Burgh Island Hotel is a striking 1920s Art Deco icon, renowned for its vintage charm, literary history, and immersive guest experiences. Stepping onto the island is like stepping back in time, complete with black-tie dinners in a grand ballroom, jazz evenings, and rooms named after past celebrity guests such as Noël Coward and Agatha Christie.

A Gatsby-era island retreat with modern values

Lilly Krupa, Head of Brand at Burgh Island, describes it as “magical and unique”. Guests return year after year, with many joining the hotel’s exclusive Burgh Island Club. Each of the 25 uniquely designed rooms holds a story, and guests often make it a tradition to stay in a new room each visit, or remain loyal to a favourite suite.

But while the hotel revels in its heritage, it’s also firmly focused on the future.

Hotel EV charging: Sustainability meets guest expectations

“We’ve always had guests arriving in beautiful, high-end cars. It started as early as eight to ten years ago with Tesla approaching us, but the EV market has exploded since. Now, it’s no longer just a nice-to-have - it’s expected.”

Lilly Krupa, Head of Brand

The decision to install EV chargers was driven by a combination of guest demand and a genuine commitment to sustainability. With growing numbers of younger and eco-conscious guests (drawn in part by the hotel’s more casual Netafold seafood restaurant, wild swimming, and artist residencies) EV charging felt like a natural next step.

The island EV logistics

Burgh Island is a true tidal island, cut off from the mainland for six hours at a time. Guests park on the mainland, where their cars remain during their stay, and are transported to the hotel via 4x4s (not EVs yet – but you never know…)

The island recently replaced its Tesla chargers with new voltshare units, which offered a smart, more user-friendly solution for EV charging that works seamlessly with this unique setup. “The chargers are used exclusively by our guests,” says Lilly. “So it gives them peace of mind knowing their car is ready when they return to the mainland.”

Market-leading customer support and the simplicity of voltshare’s platform was a key factor in swapping out the old units: “The way the system is set up works well for our guests. It fits the profile of who we cater to: simple instructions, app-driven, and reliable.”

Sustainability goals and a greener future

EV charging is just one piece of Burgh Island’s broader sustainability journey. The hotel is a member of Green Tourism and, like voltshare, is currently working toward B Corp certification.

Lilly explains: “Our new Executive Chef, Charlotte Vincent (of Great British Menu fame), sources ingredients locally, sometimes delivered by boat straight to the island. Our focus is very much on sustainability across food, operations, and suppliers.”

Voltshare’s emissions data dashboard is also ready to help support Burgh Island’s B Corp application. It can show how much CO2 Burgh Island is saving by offering EV charging to its guests, encouraging EV journeys rather than ICE alternatives.

Timeless hospitality, powered by modern tech

Burgh Island shows how hospitality rooted in the past can still embrace a forward-thinking, sustainable ethos. Whether it's drone footage of local crab boats arriving at the island, or stylish guests arriving in EVs, the blend of vintage and modern is as effortless as it is iconic.

“We’re not your typical luxury hotel. We’re an experience. And now, that experience includes EV charging that aligns with our values and our guests’ needs.”

Lilly Krupa, Head of Brand