A bed in a cornfield" or the zero-star hotel room in the open air

One weekend in Valais, the next in Ticino, Graubünden or elsewhere: mountain bikers often enjoy the luxury of a hotel room, whether three, four stars or more. But how about a zero-real-estate suite? First implemented in Safiental four years ago, seven hotel suites await their guests this year. Without walls, without a roof, free of real estate - zero stars or all of them, but under a starry sky, including a butler.

What the "Null Stern" inventors first implemented four years ago in Safiental with the land version of the "Null Stern - the only star is you" concept is now being adopted by six tourism destinations in Eastern Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein. Since 2016, the three founders, concept artists Frank and Patrik Riklin from Atelier für Sonderaufgaben and hotel expert Daniel Charbonnier, Minds in Motion SA, have been focusing on the consistent liberation of real estate. They question the boundaries and norms of luxury and standards in the hotel industry at the interface between art and tourism. Under the name "Zero Real Estate", seven new hotel rooms without walls and without a roof will open from July 1.

The hotel experience with a difference

Not everywhere is equally good for mountain biking. Whether or not to combine it with a trail weekend is up to you. But there's no harm in leaving the off-road bike in the cellar for a while and just indulging in the experience of spending a comfortable night in the open air. And the tourist destinations of St.Gallen-Lake Constance, Toggenburg, Heidiland, Appenzellerland AR, Thurgau, Schaffhauserland and the Principality of Liechtenstein want to guarantee this experience. Here you will find comfortable hotel beds surrounded by nature, where the landscape becomes the wallpaper.

According to the motto "the only star is you", butlers take care of your physical well-being. They are the trademark and distinguishing feature and were created in the fusion between the classic butler culture and the idea of expanding the host culture in an artistic and creative way. At the same time, they fulfill the task of focusing on the guest - the only star. The disciplines demonstrated at the butler training course give an impression of the "Zero Real Estate" mode, which aims to test and anticipate specific butleristic skills of the "zero star spirit": pleasurable, serious, unusual.

The "Modern Butler DNA" includes various practical disciplines such as walking tests with a tray on a steep slope, jumping fences and streams with filled glasses or making beds in strong winds. They are also on hand if guests are unable to spend the night outside in bad weather and have to move into the backup room. Tourism offices, hoteliers, innkeepers, farmers and private individuals are all involved in this project.

An overnight stay in a property-free double room including butler service costs 295 francs. "Special effects" ranging from shooting stars and clouds to weather lights are included free of charge.

www.zerorealestate.ch