We are so used to seeing the same type of hotels and accommodations that we believe that what we have seen it all. But suddenly, a project appears that is surprising. This is what the artists responsible for the concept of the Null Stern Hotel in Switzerland have been able to do.
With a room in the open air, without roof or walls, this Swiss hotel is located under the sky is one of my favorites of the moment. Even the name is convincing… ‘Null Stern Hotel – where the only star is you’.
To write this article I have used pictures provided by the own creators. The cover pic belongs to the artist Patrick Robert Doyle and is available in Unsplash.
Content index
The project Null Stern Hotel
What is that for a hotel without walls or a roof? To be honest, it was not easy to find details about it, because there is not much promotional information: a simple website, an Instagram account with 4,000 followers and a Facebook group where artists post news about the project.
Nor a booking platform, nor OTAs; just their website to provide information and to make reservations. And yet, they manage to reach the people and its popularity rises like foam… Last year I tried to book the Suite Bayart and it was sold for the whole summer.
The conceptual artists Frank and Patrik Riklin and the hotel Daniel Charbonnie are the creators of this project. It is called Zero Real Estate and started in 2008 with a hotel in a nuclear bunker in Sevelen, Switzerland. Their idea was to create a different kind of space, something that led them to project the suites in the Swiss mountain.
This idea was renewed and has been a reality since 2016. It is innovative and every year comes with a new project-although, as I said before, in 2024 there was no information on changes or options of booking.
With a presence in media such as the BBC, ELLE, and appearing on the best accommodation lists of companies such as easyJet, it is nevertheless a hidden gem. And that seems to be the idea, because it wants to be your private room, in the Swiss mountains, with you as the only star of the night -even though you’re literally under a starry sky-.
In 2023, the four rooms available were located in Saillon, a town in the French-speaking part of the Valais, in the southwest of Switzerland.
Each one of the rooms of the hotel ‘no star’ is a magical opportunity for mountain and the nature lovers, because you’ll be able to enjoy the views of this area of Switzerland without getting out of bed, spending a night in the open air.
Four options that suit you
It is clear that Saillon is the favorite place of artists in charge of Zero Star to locate their rooms. This is so that in 2023, there were four options where you could live a unique experience in this area of the country of Switzerland.
Although the location and views were very different, each room had the same services. The hotels share features such as the price and included breakfast -with drinks, food, organic pastries from a local bakery and fruit juice, besides the service of a modern butler.
The rooms are simple, consisting of a double bed, a few lamps, and some furniture. It’s bare, but to make sure you don’t miss anything, there’s a restaurant about five minutes away where you can use the bathroom.
Null stern suite Bayart
The village of Saillon is famous, among other things, by their Bayart Tower, built in the 13th century. This suite is located on the top of the hill where it stands today, giving guests the opportunity to enjoy a spectacular view over the Rhône Valley.
You’ll be able to see the vineyards and the Ardévaz mountain as a backdrop. And although the room is at the top of the hill, you can easily reach the village, where there are local restaurants and activities to participate in.
Bayart Tower Null Stern vineyard
This suite is located in a street between two vineyards, from which you can enjoy a panoramic view on the medieval village of Saillon and its tower.
This seems to be a special room for the creators, since the materials and the furniture were recycled from an art project that took place in 2016 in Safiental, Switzerland.
Another feature of this room is that there is the possibility to see expert winemakers working in the vineyards during your stay.
Null Stern suite Farinet
This room is located in the Colline Ardente, which houses the smallest vineyard in the world.
Despite the fact that the highlight is the history of this vineyard, with various celebrities going and working there, for me the most attractive thing is the view, which is as impressive and daunting as those of their other rooms sisters.
Null Stern suite Anti-idyllic
The more innovative work of the artists breaks with any preconceived notion of what a hotel room should be.
In a scenario that is completely different from the other rooms, this one is set in 2022 between a gas station and a busy road and has no purpose other than to keep you awake.
Its own creators have presented it as a reflection of the contemporary world, offering the opportunity to stop and think about issues such as the environment, the economy, equality, or security.
They even invite you to go to their webpage to share your thoughts, ideas, fears or beliefs, and also leave them on a sheet of paper under the mattress… They encourage both individuals and groups to reflect, and companies, associations and schools can come and use the space as a meeting point to exchange and share ideas.
Improvisation is not an option
You’re probably wondering what happens if it rains. Is there a mechanism that allows you to cover the room without getting wet? The answer is no, there is not. None of the rooms have a ceiling or walls, and this fact, which makes them unique, is set in stone. When you think about it, this is a work of art – conceptual, but art – and once the work is done, it is best to leave it as is.
In case of imminent and unexpected rain, you can spend the night in a nearby hotel in the village of Saillon; the room is, of course, included in the price. Although this option is very convenient to avoid getting soaked, it would be a shame to miss the opportunity to sleep in one of these idyllic rooms.
Serious question: can you call it a room if you don’t have walls? What name would you give it?
How much does it cost to sleep in the Null Stern Hotel?
If you are like me, you have probably already rejected the option of staying in these rooms, thinking that it has nothing to do with a normal budget. Well, that’s not entirely true, as staying overnight will cost around 350€.
And while it may be a price that you do not want to pay for a single night, you have to admit that it is something that is accessible to everyone. With a little planning and saving, if this is your dream, you can make it happen!
Think of the incredible opportunity: imagine a warm day in the mountains of Saillon while looking at the starry sky. And all this without forgetting the modern butler, a local farmer exclusively to make your stay a more pleasant experience.
The price per night is 325CHF, which is about 350€.
It is only possible to book on the official website of the project.
Something to emphasize, and the more I read about the project, the clearer it becomes, is that the Null Stern Hotel is a work of art. It is not designed to be the best hotel in the world, nor is it designed to make millions of dollars.
That’s why, when you decide to stay in one of the rooms, you are giving value to the creation of the two artists and the project, developed together with an experienced hotelier. You pay to enjoy the art, just like in a museum, but in this case, with the best view. 🤩
