Situated in the Swiss Alps in the Toggenburg region sits the pop-up Null Stern hotel, featuring nothing but a double bed and two nightstands sitting on a wooden platform. With no walls or ceilings, three open-air suites provide panoramic views of the Churfirsten mountain range, the Schwendi lakes, and the Rhine Valley, a one-night stay under the stars. The concept evolved into something even more radical: rooms without walls or roofs, placed directly in nature—on mountaintops, scenic valleys, or remote areas across Switzerland. These are known as the Zero Real Estate suites. Locations include places like Safiental, regions in Appenzellerland, Heidiland, Saillon in Valais (for the French-speaking part of Switzerland), etc. Each suite strives to minimize built structures and center the natural environment as part of the room itself. The open-air suites typically include just the essentials: a double bed (or queen), nightstands, lamps. There are no walls or roof; the “room” is outdoors under the sky. Bathrooms are shared or located a short walk away. Each booking is available in a one-night package that includes your very own butler, breakfast and drinks, as well as a back-up room in case of bad weather. 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. Despite the minimal physical infrastructure, service is very personal. Local “butlers” welcome guests, bring meals (breakfast in bed often), help with logistics, and generally ensure the experience is smooth and memorable. Their role is to emphasize that the guest is the star of the stay. Given the exposure to nature, weather is a factor. Guests are typically offered backup plans (alternate indoor shelter or accommodations) in case conditions worsen. Reservations often come with the possibility of canceling if the weather turns bad. By removing typical room boundaries (walls, roof), Null Stern asks guests to engage differently with their surroundings: the sky, the landscape, the elements. It’s a sensory and contemplative experience rather than a conventional hotel stay. 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. No shelter from cold, rain, snow, or wind. Guests need to be okay with vulnerabilities to weather and being in the open. With no physical barriers, privacy is minimal. It’s ideal for couples or those comfortable with open surroundings, not for everyone. Many of the suites are in remote mountain areas. Getting there may require significant travel, hiking, or navigation. Also, amenities beyond the basics are limited. Null Stern is not just about having someplace to stay — it’s about rethinking what comfort, luxury, and hospitality are. By removing barriers (physical and conceptual), it encourages guests to reflect on what they value: the view, the stars, the natural world, the quiet. 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. Based on their idea, three hotel rooms without walls and roof were opened under the name «Zero Real Estate» in the Swiss alpine foreland of Wildhaus, Toggenburg. 75% of the total available nights have been booked within the first 10 days since launch. At Null Stern, nights are unlike anything in a conventional hotel. Guests lie in a cozy bed with only the sky above, surrounded by the natural grandeur of the Swiss Alps or serene valleys. Stars stretch endlessly above, clouds drift across the horizon, and the gentle sounds of nature replace the hum of city life. The experience evokes a deep sense of freedom and perspective—reminding visitors of their place in the world, and sometimes, how small everyday worries really are. Not far from the Hotel Stump’s Alpenrose, under the capony of large old trees lies the «Stump Suite». You’ll get from the hotel’s wellness spa straight to your suite under the stars in a very short walk. In the morning you’ll listen to the beautiful concerto of the alpine birds. Sunrise at Null Stern is a ritual in itself. Guests often wake to the first light spilling across the mountains, mist rolling over meadows, or the distant sound of cowbells from alpine pastures. Breakfast is served outdoors, often locally sourced and freshly prepared—simple, nourishing, and designed to complement the peaceful surroundings. Every sip of coffee and every bite of bread feels enhanced by the atmosphere: the world slowed down to match the rhythm of nature. Null Stern is not just a hotel—it’s a work of art. The founders intentionally stripped away traditional structures to question modern notions of luxury and hospitality. Staying here is a contemplative experience: you confront the elements, reflect on comfort, and appreciate the essentials. Guests frequently describe it as transformative, offering clarity, mindfulness, and a renewed sense of connection with both nature and themselves. From the «Schwendi Suite» you overlook the idyllic Schwendi lakes, embedded in the hilly landscape at the foot of the Churfirsten mountain range. Fall asleep to the sound of the cowbells from the surrounding pastures and wake up with a breathtaking view of the opposite Alpstein massif with it’s famous peak Säntis. Gentle breezes, blooming wildflowers, and warm nights make the open-air suite ideal for stargazing. Snow blankets the surroundings, creating a serene, almost otherworldly white landscape. Winter stays often include heated bedding or nearby indoor shelters, blending adventure with comfort. Fresh blossoms, flowing streams, and the revival of wildlife provide a vivid sensory experience, ideal for photography and nature walks. High above the Toggenburg valley, at the foot of the Alpstein massif, sits the «Burst Suite». Enjoy your nightcap with a view on the rising moon in the East. Wake up with a breathtaking 270-degree panorama from the Rhine Valley past the Churfirsten all the way down into the Toggenburg valley. Each stay is complemented by the presence of a “modern butler”—a discreet yet attentive host who ensures the guest’s comfort, delivers meals, and provides guidance about the local environment. This service underscores the Null Stern philosophy: it’s not about walls, roofs, or amenities—it’s about personal connection and presence. By eliminating permanent structures, Null Stern embraces sustainability. Minimal environmental impact, local sourcing, and temporary, movable suites demonstrate how hospitality can exist harmoniously with nature. Guests leave not only refreshed but also inspired by a new perspective on travel, living, and luxury.
