I came across an interesting article via the MSN homepage today. It's about a new hotel - a cheap hotel! - that just opened June 5th 2009.

Actually, cheap is an understatement.

Null Stern Hotel takes minimalism to a whole new level. There are no luxury accommodations here! In fact, it has earned the dubious honour of being designated as the world's first zero star rated hotel.

Imagine sharing a room with 6 other guests and using a group bathroom. While you're at it, think about staying at a hotel without heat. In Switzerland. Fortunately, Null Stern Hotel does have hot water bottles to help keep you warm. If you're lucky, you could win a draw to have a hot shower in the morning. There's only enough hot water for one per day.

Did I mention that this is a really cheap hotel?

What price for such austerity? Only $10 USD per night. Worth every penny, if you're after accommodation adventure. You get what you pay for but if you're not fussy and want to save a ton of money, it's a good place to spend the night.

Why on earth would owners Frank and Patrik Riklin (twin brothers) convert a nuclear bunker into this cold, cheap hotel that totally lacks luxury and privacy? As an art project and to make a statement. The men are Swiss artists who decided to combine hotel discount with artistic pursuit. Interest in the world's first zero-star hotel has been good enough that the Riklins are already investigating other bunkers for expansion.

Have a look at the Null Stern Hotel site for pictures. Oh, and if you're an enterprising kind of person, their website also has information for those interested in forming a joint venture.

If you go, I hope you'll come back and tell us how it was. If not, the video below will show you just minimal this inexpensive lodging is.