"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).
Eight of the world's best underwater restaurants — in pictures
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Under, a stark rectangle tilted on its axis, will become part of its marine environment over time. Photo: Inger Marie Grini Bo Bedre Norge -
Under is located in Norway’s Lindesnes. Photo: Andre Martinsen -
Under's lounge area. Photo: Inger Marie Grini Bo Bedre Norge -
Under offers a rare opportunity to witness the workings of the North Atlantic Ocean sea bed. Photo: Ivar Kvaal -
Under offers one set menu each day, carefully crafted using seasonal produce. Photo: Inger Marie Grini Bo Bedre Norge -
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island was the first resort in the world to offer an all-glass underwater restaurant. Photo: Conrad Hotels -
Ithaa is located five metres below sea level and offers coral garden views. Photo: Conrad Hotels -
Only Blu sits between the two island resorts of Oblu Select Lobigili and Oblu Xperience Ailafushi. Photo: Only Blu -
The Maldivian yellowfin tuna poke at Only Blu. Photo: Only Blu -
Al Mahara restaurant in Dubai's Burj Al Arab. Photo: Burj Al Arab -
Al Mahara is home to a wall-to-ceiling aquarium. Razan Alzayani / The National -
Chef Andrea Migliaccio is responsible for the menu at Burj Al Arab’s Ristorante L’Olivo at Al Mahara. Photo: Burj Al Arab -
The ambassador lagoon view at Ossiano. Photo: Atlantis, The Palm -
A welk shell served on a bed of sand and filled with umami dashi at Ossiano. Photo: Atlantis, The Palm -
Ossiano's bar area. Photo: Atlantis, The Palm -
Views of the aquarium from a table at Ossiano. Photo: Atlantis, The Palm -
Koral at The Apurva Kempinski Bali. Photo: Kempinski Hotels -
Koral was named the world’s most picture-perfect restaurant in the 2021 Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Awards. Photo: Kempinski Hotels -
Indonesian coastal flavours are served up by chef Andrea Astone at Koral. Photo: Kempinski Hotels
