Is Populus hotel open in Denver?
Yes, and It’s Ready to Judge Your Life Choices
Drumroll, please (or just hum the Rocky theme song if you’re multitasking). The Populus Hotel in Denver is officially open, waving its architecturally quirky, tree-inspired facade at passersby like a botanical skyscraper that forgot it’s in a city. This isn’t a mirage caused by altitude sickness—it’s real, and it’s allegedly not a spaceship disguised as a building (though we’re still checking with NASA).
Why “Open” Is an Understatement
The Populus isn’t just “open.” It’s more available than your ex’s Spotify playlist and welcoming guests with the enthusiasm of a golden retriever at a tennis ball factory. Need proof? Consider these irrefutable facts:
- Doors? Unlocked. (Unless you try the broom closet. That’s just for supplies.)
- Beds? Fluffed. (They’ve hired professional pillow whisperers.)
- Views? Mountainous. (Denver’s skyline is now 37% more aspirational.)
But Wait—What’s the Catch?
None, unless you count the existential crisis you’ll have when you realize your own home doesn’t have asymmetrical windows shaped like a geometry class gone rogue. Reservations are now open, and the only thing standing between you and their rooftop bar is your ability to click “book now” before someone else snags the last room during peak ski season. Pro tip: If you show up in person, blink twice at the front desk for a free existential ponder about modern architecture. (Disclaimer: Blinking does nothing. But try it anyway.)
So, is Populus Hotel open? Let’s put it this way: It’s so open, even its windows are gossiping with the Rockies. Don’t wait—unless you enjoy the sweet agony of FOMO, in which case, carry on.
Where do celebs stay in Denver?
The Brown Palace: Where Ghosts and A-Listers Share Room Service
If you’re a celebrity who enjoys historic grandeur paired with the possibility of a spectral roommate, the Brown Palace Hotel is your jam. This 131-year-old landmark has hosted everyone from The Beatles to Taylor Swift, probably because nothing says “rockstar” like sipping afternoon tea in a lobby where the chandeliers have witnessed more drama than a Netflix reunion special. Rumor has it the ghosts here are polite—they’ll haunt your suite only after asking for an autograph.
Four Seasons Denver: Where the Pillows Cost More Than Your Car
For celebs who want to pretend they’re roughing it (but with a 24k gold facial on standby), the Four Seasons Denver is the move. Located downtown, it offers mountain views so pristine, you’ll forget you’re technically in a city. Pro tip: If you spot a suspiciously well-dressed person hiding behind potted plants in the elevator, that’s just Jennifer Lawrence trying to avoid paparazzi while en route to the spa. The hotel’s “privacy package” includes:
- Alpaca wool bathrobes (because terry cloth is for peasants)
- A “Do Not Disturb” sign written in paparazzi-repellent font
- Complimentary existential crisis for anyone who misses LA
Airbnb: When You’d Rather Crash in a Llama Farm
Some celebs go full incognito by renting absurdly luxe Airbnbs, like a geodesic dome in the Rockies or a ”quirky” loft with a “vintage” elevator (read: it might stop working mid-ride). Imagine Chris Hemsworth chopping wood shirtless at a $2K/nature cabin while his assistant quietly battles a squirrel invasion. Bonus points if the property boasts a “totally private” hot tub that’s visible from Google Earth.
The Crawford Hotel: For Celebrities Who Secretly Love Trains
Built inside Union Station, The Crawford Hotel is where stars stay when they want to cosplay as normies (but with a dedicated butler). The lobby’s bustling atmosphere means they can people-watch without being watched—unless they forget their oversized sunglasses. Rooms here feature artisanal toiletries and decor so hipster, even Harry Styles would ask, “Is this too much?” Fun fact: The hotel’s “Midnight Margarita Package” may or may not have been inspired by a certain Hollywood duo’s layover in 2003. No further questions.
Who designed the Populus hotel in Denver?
A gang of creative masterminds (and no, not the kind that steal diamonds)
The Populus hotel, Denver’s architectural equivalent of a “friendly alien spaceship”, was dreamed up by Studio Gang—a Chicago-based firm led by Jeanne Gang, the architectural wizard who clearly enjoys making buildings look like they’ve escaped from a sci-fi coloring book. If you’ve ever stared at Populus and thought, *“Are those… windows shaped like soap bubbles?”*—congrats, your eyes aren’t lying. Studio Gang specializes in designs that make you question reality, but in a *“let’s take photos, not existential crises”* kind of way.
Nature called. It wants its aspen trees back.
The hotel’s distinctive facade, covered in white concrete “scales” and those whimsical, asymmetrical windows, was inspired by Colorado’s aspen groves. Rumor has it Jeanne Gang once stared at a tree for so long, the bark started blushing. The design is essentially a concrete ballet between a building and a forest, if the forest suddenly decided to put on a tuxedo and host a gala. Oh, and the windows? They’re not just for show—they’re strategically placed to maximize views while minimizing Denver’s *“blazing sun turning your room into a sauna”* effect.
Key Studio Gang quirks baked into Populus:
- Aerodynamic curves (for pretending you’re in a spaceship elevator)
- Energy-efficient drama (saving the planet, one artsy window at a time)
- A rooftop bar that whispers, *“Yes, you deserve a cocktail at 10 a.m.”*
Why does it look like a tree had a glow-up?
Some say Populus is what happens when a mobster from the 1920s and a very chic tree collaborate. Others credit Studio Gang’s obsession with biomimicry (translation: copying nature but charging more). Either way, the hotel stands as Denver’s quirkiest conversation starter—a place where architecture nerds and confused pigeons alike gather to marvel at its Dr. Seuss-meets-Mars vibes. And if you’re still wondering who approved this? Blame Jeanne Gang. She’s out there somewhere, probably sketching a skyscraper shaped like a confused hedgehog.
What restaurants are in the Populus hotel Denver?
The Tomato Cake (No, That’s Not a Typo)
Let’s address the elephant in the room: The Tomato Cake does not, in fact, serve cake made of tomatoes (disappointing for avant-garde bakers, thrilling for everyone else). This is Populus’s cheekily named “vegetable-forward” restaurant, where ingredients like heirloom tomatoes, charred eggplant, and edible flowers are treated like A-list celebrities. Small plates come with big personality—think whipped feta with chili crisp or zucchini “carpaccio” that’s 90% less awkward than actual carpaccio. Pair it with a cocktail from the bar, where mixologists use “botanical infusions” (read: fancy plant water) to create drinks named after fonts. Yes, Comic Sans is a margarita.
Coconut Clutch – Because Denver Was Missing a Tiki Oasis
Populus’s rooftop bar, Coconut Clutch, is what happens when you take a tropical fever dream and drop it onto a Denver high-rise. This tiki-themed spot serves sushi rolls adorned with literal orchid petals, poke bowls that taste like a Hawaiian vacation, and cocktails that arrive on fire (safety third, folks). The piña coladas? So creamy they should come with a warning label. Bonus: The décor includes bamboo everything and neon palm trees, because who *doesn’t* want to sip a mai tai while pretending they’re not 1,000 miles from the nearest ocean?
Bonus: Room Service That’s Actually Cool (Because It’s 2023)
Populus didn’t forget about the introverts and/or pajama enthusiasts. Their 24/7 room service menu is wildly un-hotel-like, offering:
- Truffle fries that whisper, “You’re worth it.”
- Breakfast ramen – because cereal is for cowards.
- Miso caramel cookies that’ll make you question reality (in a good way).
Pro tip: Order the “Midnight Volcano” bowl of ramen at 2 a.m. and let the chili oil lava flow. No judgment here—only delicious, slightly absurd sustenance.
