Zero Real Estate, The Un-hotel Luxury Experience in Switzerland

Writer Michelle Tchea

Getting back to nature is taking a whole new meaning in the Swiss Alps, thanks to artists Frank and Patrik Riklin, who are bringing their no-wall, no-ceiling hotel concept to multiple locations in eastern Switzerland this summer.

Zero Real Estate, a spin-off of the pair’s 2016 project Null Stern Hotel, which loosely translates into “zero star hotel,” is timely given the current situation. Social distancing becomes easy with the open-air concept where only Mother Nature surrounds guests in their minimalistic hotel, if we can even call it that. The beds are arranged tastefully on outdoor slopes, away from civilization.

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So what do you get at these Zero Real Estate hotels? Unbridled access to sweeping mountain views, panoramas highlighting the untouched beauty of lesser-known Appenzellerland, and of course direct access to well-marked hiking trails to Lake Schwendisee or Säntis Mountain. There are seven “rooms” to choose from, each located in a different Swiss region: Toggenburg, Heidiland, St. Gallen-Bodensee, Appenzellerland, Thurgau, Schaffhauserland, and Liechtenstein are all participating this year.

Of course, you won’t have to milk your own cows for breakfast—there is a full butler service available, which includes a delicious breakfast filled with local products to wake up to when the sun rises as your personal alarm clock.