If you consider yourself an adventurous traveler, chances are you actively seek out opportunities to enjoy incredible experiences, from checking out some of the world’s most beautiful and bustling cities to enjoying more natural surroundings. If this sounds like you, you’ll want to head to Switzerland to stay in one of these hotel rooms without walls because the view of the Swiss Alps in the background is astounding.
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- The idea started as an art installation. The installation, which was held in an underground bunker, was called Null Stern, which means Zero Stars. From there, the conceptual artists behind the project teamed up with hospitality industry experts to create Zero Real Estate. Daniel Charbonnier, who works in hospitality, and artists Frank and Patrik Riklin are behind the project.
- Who wouldn’t want to experience something like this? As Charbonnier explained in an interview with Insider, he knew as soon as he saw the initial installation that it needed to be adapted for a wider audience who could then actually stay there. “For me, the concept spoke to me as a hotel professional. All across the segmentation of hotels, from camping to two stars to palaces, I felt the value system for guests shifted from being tangible aspects to experiences and intangible aspects,” he said.
- The first rooms were nothing like they are now. At first, Zero Real Estate created a bunker of 14 beds that guests could stay in for about $25 a night. However, he realized that people were so desperate to be part of the experience that they would have been happy to pay way more. That’s when it dawned on him: there was more to hospitality than amenities. “I used to give guests gold and crystal and marble and still it was difficult to get money from them,” he said. “If I can make people happy in a nuclear bunker it really demonstrated for me that what matters is the experience.”
- The open-air hotel without walls opened in 2016. The rooms are placed 6,463 feet above sea level in the Swiss Alps, offering breathtaking views that are unlike anything you’ve ever seen. In total, there are seven beds in different locations around Switzerland and the “room” costs around $315 a night to stay in. A local resident will bring you anything you need and of course, if it rains, you will be taken to an indoor room, which is unfortunate!
- As you can imagine, there’s a pretty long waiting list involved. Since there are only seven rooms, it takes a bit of patience to book yourself into one of them. The hotel without walls is in high demand and there’s currently a waiting list of about 9,000 people.
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