In-Depth Review of the Populus Hotel in Denver - AFAR
"Billed as a carbon-positive, biophilic hotel in downtown Denver, this wedge-shaped, white building features hundreds of rounded windows inspired by aspen bark and was built with recycled or low‑carbon materials. It operates on 100% wind and solar power, runs zero‑waste dining, and pairs ambitious offsetting (including plans to plant tens of thousands of Engelmann spruce trees) with transparency and third‑party tracking. The interior is designed to evoke a 13‑story tree: the lobby reads like a forest floor with river‑pebble–speckled concrete and groundcover plants, the front desk is made from a fallen cottonwood, walls include shingles from pine killed by invasive beetles, and reclaimed beams add rustic touches. There are 265 minimalist, earth‑toned rooms and suites (180–554 sq ft) with raw concrete ceilings to reduce construction waste, some headboards from fallen pines, real plants, pressed wildflowers, and seed‑infused key sleeves; rounded windows frame city and mountain views while helping shade rooms in Denver’s sunny climate, and some alcoves feature hammock‑like benches. In‑room amenities include refillable Grown Alchemist bath products, large walk‑in showers (some with soaking tubs), oversized robes, coffee/tea makers, and a minibar stocked with local beverages and snacks. Accessibility routes reach the lobby, event spaces, fitness center, and many ADA‑compliant rooms, though dim corridors to guest rooms may be challenging for visually impaired guests. The property is dog‑friendly (up to two dogs per room) and is targeting LEED Gold while partnering with a sustainability firm and training staff on on‑site food digesting and composting to return fertilizer to partner farms." - Bailey Berg
