'Zero Star Hotel' in Switzerland invites guests to think, not sleep

The art installation by concept artists will welcome guests from July 1 for $338 a night

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  Charles-Henri Thurre, Mayor of Saillon, in Valais, Switzerland, sleeps in an 'anti-idyllic' suite at the 'Null Stern Hotel' or 'Zero Star Hotel' installation by Swiss conceptual artists Frank and Patrik Riklin. All photos: EPA unless otherwise specified

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  The artists were inspired by the current situation of the world and wanted to spark reflection on the urgency and necessity of a radical change in society.

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  Frank and Patrik in their 'anti-idyllic' suite.

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  The hotel room is essentially a double bed on a platform, with two bedside tables and lamps. There are no walls, ceiling or doors to provide any privacy or shelter.

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  Guests are invited in their 'half sleep' to consider topics such as climate change and war.

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  Frank and Patrik Riklin say their intention is to encourage action.

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  The project, which has been developed with hotelier Daniel Charbonnier, features three more 'Null Stern' suites in more idyllic settings.

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  An 'idyllic' suite located on a hill as part of the 'Zero Star Hotel' project.

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  Frank and Patrik at one of their 'idyllic' suites.

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  Another 'idyllic' suite, this one located in a vineyard.

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  The brothers have created similar beds in idyllic spots.

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  Frank and Patrik with hotelier Daniel Charbonnier at the 'anti-idyllic' suite.

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  The artists outside their 'anti-idyllic' 'zero star hotel'. EPA

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  All suites in the 'Zero Star Hotel', including the 'anti-idyllic', come with butler service.

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  A butler irons the bed of the 'anti-idyllic' suite.

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  Frank and Patrik with Charbonnier in the vineyard suite. Reuters

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  The 'Zero Star Hotel' offers guests a choice between four open-air rooms in reaction to the current state of the world. Reuters

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  The suites are available for stays form July 1 to September 18. The price for an imperfect night's sleep is 325 Swiss francs ($338). Reuters

"I couldn't sleep," and "my room was too noisy," may be complaints hoteliers dread from guests, but for the Riklin brothers that is the entire point of their latest Zero Star Hotel art installation.

The Swiss conceptual artists' hotel room is essentially a double bed on a platform, with two bedside tables and lamps. There are no walls, ceiling or doors to provide any privacy or shelter.

They have set up their Null Stern suite — German for zero star — on a roadside next to a petrol station in the village of Saillon, in the southern Swiss canton of Valais.

Scroll through the gallery above for more pictures of the 'Zero Star Hotel'

The intention is to make guests think about the problems in the world, the twin brothers said, and inspire them to act differently.

They've created similar beds in idyllic spots, but this is their first "anti-idyllic" site.

"Sleep is not the point," said Frank Riklin. "What's important is reflecting about the current world situation. Staying here is a statement about the need for urgent changes in society."

Guests are invited in their "half sleep" to consider topics such as climate change, war, and humanity's endless quest for perfection and the damage it causes the planet.

"In a nutshell, now is not the time to sleep, we have to react," said Patrik. "If we continue in the same direction we are today, there might be more anti-idyllic places than idyllic."

The project, which has been developed with hotelier Daniel Charbonnier, also features three further null stern suites in a more idyllic vineyard and on a picturesque hillside.

The suites, which come with butler service offering drinks and breakfast, will be available form July 1 to September 18. The price for an imperfect night's sleep: 325 Swiss francs ($338).

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