Guests are served by a butler during a test-sleeping in the planned '"Null Stern Hotel"
© AFP Fabrice Coffrini

SEVELEN, Switzerland (AFP) - The sun has set on the eastern Swiss village of 4,000 souls and hardly a person is to be seen on its narrow streets.

However there is a small buzz by the community's bomb shelter -- the new Zero Star Hotel conceived by artist brothers Frank and Patrik Riklin is having a test night before launching operations full time.

For 10 to 30 Swiss francs (eight to 25 dollars, seven to 20 euros) budget travellers can rent dormitory style rooms in the bunker that offer basic comforts.

"All the same there is a choice between four types of beds: single, bunk, double beds and rustic, wooden country beds," said Patrik.

The sign of the planned '"Null Stern Hotel" (Zero-Star-Hotel) fitted in a nuclear bunker
© AFP Fabrice Coffrini

Each Swiss community has a nuclear bomb shelter for its residents, built during the days of the Cold War.

With the threat of nuclear confrontation gone with the collapse of communism, the bunkers are viewed by most Swiss towns as nothing more than a deep hole on the municipal budget.

"The town asked us to convert the bunker and we decided to launch the zero star concept," said Frank.

The only condition the town placed on the twin brothers was that they make it available within 24 hours in case of an emergency.

Their concept is to offer simplicity to a society drunk with conspicuous consumption.

-- We want to be the opposite of palaces in Dubai --

"We want to be the opposite of the palaces in Dubai," said Patrik.

That concept clashes with meeting the requirements needed to be classified and receive a star rating.

"The Swiss Hotel Association was delighted to propose that we join their association, but we replied that instead they should sign up to our concept," Frank said with an irreverent laugh.

A man holds slippers and earplugs during a test-sleeping in the planned '"Null Stern Hotel" fitted in a nuclear bunker
© AFP Fabrice Coffrini

The first guests have begun to arrive.

The temperature in the chambers is a chilly five degrees C (41 F) and Ana Schnieder Da Silva is a little hesitant as she tours the complex.

"I read in the newspaper they were searching for volunteers to test things out the first night. At first I thought it was some kind of medical test, but I was relieved to learn it was just to spend the night in the hotel," she said.

"I can't wait to see who my neighbours will be," she enthused. "I even bought some new pyjamas for the occasion."

Peter Meier is back after having spent a night in an earlier test.

"I don't understand why people are surprised about sleeping in a nuclear bomb shelter, it's very comfortable," he said.

His only complaint -- the loud buzz of the ventilation system.

But the Riklin brothers have all the details thought out -- next to the piece of chocolate on the pillow is a set of earplugs.

Guests also receive a complimentary pair of slippers to venture across the cold concrete floors.

The Riklin brothers, artists for the past four years, have quickly adopted the instincts of entrepreneurs. "We are planning to open 12 other hotels of this type in Switzerland under franchise," said Frank.

Interest and demand is strong they say, pointing to 50,000 clicks to their website (www.null-stern-hotel.ch) over the past month.

©AFP