In Switzerland, for risk takers, five stars is out. The Null Stern Hotel in Sevelen is, translated, a zero star hotel. Now, that doesn't mean that it's a bad hotel; it's just an incredibly innovative way to gain perspective and experience history.
Twin brothers Frank und Patrik Riklin turned an old bomb shelter into an experience that fosters true appreciation for modern luxuries. There are no windows. Instead of installing regular heaters, the Null Stern Hotel offers guests hot water bottles. Not surprisingly, the walls lack decor. Rules (the hotel has a communist manifesto) include that men get half an hour to shower, and women a full hour.
The hotel is still in a trial phase, and will likely never truly open since it has to be available as a shelter within 24 hours notice should a military emergency arise, yet it's still a notable hotel.
Truth be told, the Null Stern Hotel is not that unbelievable after some of the crazy hotels we've featured on Trend Hunter; check out a few below!
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Zero-star Hospitality
- There's a growing trend towards providing basic amenities in hotels as a unique experience to travelers.
- Historical Tourism
- Travelers are seeking out experiences that allow them to learn about the history and culture of a destination in an immersive setting.
- Survivalist Recreation
- The popularity of survivalist-themed experiences is leading to a rise in unique accommodations that offer guests the chance to escape to a remote and rugged environment.
Where This Applies
- Hospitality Industry
- The hospitality industry can capitalize on the trend towards zero-star accommodations by offering more basic amenities in hotels and marketing them as a unique experience.
- Tourism Industry
- The tourism industry can develop historical experiences that allow travelers to fully immerse themselves in the culture and history of a destination.
- Recreation Industry
- The recreation industry can offer unique opportunities for survivalist recreation, such as providing accommodations in remote and rugged environments with minimal amenities.
