People nowadays joke that if you want to take your partner on an expensive date, you should take them to a gas station. But why stop on a date if you can stay in a suite instead at a zero-star hotel?
In Switzerland, the Null Stern Hotel provides this odd lodging. The Null Stern Anti-idyllic suite is an aptly called “hotel room” beside a gas station in Saillon. Plus, there are no walls or roofs for privacy or protection from the elements. Continue reading to learn more about this so-called “zero-star hotel.”
The origin of the zero-star hotel
Switzerland astonished the world in 2009 by opening a zero-star hotel. While most other motels are in scenic places with panoramic views of the Alps and other mountains, the roadside hotel is clearly out of the ordinary.
Zero-star, as in none, nada, or null. The Null Stern Hotel is a former nuclear bunker converted into a hotel. A prototype opened in Teufen, Appenzellerland, Switzerland. Future hotels are under planning in urban locations. The Atelier für Sonderaufgaben agency is run by twin performance artists Frank and Patrik Riklin.
Their minimal necessities concept resonated with enough budget-conscious guests that it was booked for weeks.
The zero-star hotel amenities and accommodations
Guests staying at the zero-star hotel only have a bed and an outhouse. On paper, it appears to be a rustic hostel. The “bedroom” is a luxury designer suite set among the magnificent rolling hills of Switzerland’s Appenzell region. Guests receive a complimentary beverage upon arrival, a daily cooked-to-order breakfast, and the services of a butler.
In 2016, storms canceled roughly two-thirds of booked stays. Every year, the suite is relocated. Previous locations have included a mile-high vantage point atop the rugged Grisons region and the original abandoned nuclear bunker.
Booking the zero-star hotel
Null Stern suites cost 325 Swiss francs per night, or approximately US$338 at today’s exchange rates. That is not cheap, but it also includes a welcome drink with local organic finger food, breakfast pastry from a local bakery with fresh local fruit juice, and butler services.
In inclement weather, that booking includes a reservation at the Hôtel des Bains de Saillon — complete with walls, roof, and air conditioning.
The artistry behind the hotel
Co-founders Patrik and Frank Riklin launched the first suite several years ago as an art project with collaborator Daniel Charbonnier. The project’s primary goal is to challenge the concept of a traditional luxury vacation.
While this may sound lofty, arguing with their motivations is difficult. Art enthusiasts have received the installation well, according to the founders. However, Swiss hoteliers are dissatisfied with the obvious dig at their business tactics.
Suite types at the Null Stern Hotel
The Swiss landscape and sky are the wallpaper that replaces the walls and roof at the Null Stern Hotel. This hotel, it turns out, features a variety of landscapes and skies from which customers can choose before vacationing there.
Vineyard suite
The Vineyard suit appears to have fallen from the sky into a valley on the way between two vineyards. This suite has breathtaking views of Saillon’s old medieval hamlet and towers. The backdrop is the 3,934-meter-high Bietschorn, known as “King Valais.”
This suite is unusual because all the furnishings are from the original art piece constructed in 2016 at Safiental (GR). It includes a secret nest where you may “see without being seen.” Winemakers may work during the day or at night during your stay. Because the weather is unpredictable, they may be required to work very early in the morning on many occasions per month.
If this occurs, the hotel staff will notify you during check-in, and you will be free to enjoy your suite until sunset before being welcomed into your hotel room for the remainder of the evening. When you rent this suite, you will receive an exclusive photograph of a 2016 art installation signed by conceptual artists Frank and Patrik Riklin.
Anti-idyllic suite
The Anti-idyllic suite is situated alongside a highway adjoining a gas station. Instead of being a place to sleep, this new version seeks to keep you awake. It provides a space for meditation on current events such as climate, economy, security, or equality. Individuals, businesses, schools, and organizations are all invited to utilize this place to share, brainstorm, or produce ideas.
Farinet suite
The Farinet suite is located on the magical “Colline Ardente,” which houses the world’s smallest recognized vineyard, with only three grapes.
Its first owner was French actor Jean-Louis Barrault, who donated this zero-star hotel to the Dalai Lama and the present owner. Every year, celebrities, politicians, sports figures, and artists tend the soil in this one-of-a-kind vineyard.
Pilgrims worldwide have visited this place of reflection and contributed to global rock collections, such as the Great Wall of China, the Pyramids, and the Berlin Wall.
Bayart suite
The Bayart suite is on the slope, containing the magnificent 13th-century Bayart Tower. This location offers stunning views of the Rhône Valley, complete with vineyards and Mount Ardévaz in the distance. The historic village of Saillon is within a short stroll of the suite, making it easy to explore neighborhood restaurants and local activities while being quiet.
Embracing simplicity: A night at Switzerland’s zero-star hotel
This hotel is indeed a unique tourist find you can only find in Switzerland. It is not only an accommodation of a lifetime, but you also experience nature in its purest form. If you don’t mind trying new things, don’t hesitate to book a stay in this Swiss work of art!
