#362 - Populus Denver Hotel

Triangular Populus!

We spent one fabulous night in this triangular-shaped hotel. The 13-story building sits perfectly on a triangular piece of property in downtown Denver!

Don and I booked a night after we saw amazing photos on the internet. It was the design that lured us, but once we arrived we learned what was behind every detail of the building! 

Eco-Friendly

Populus is the first carbon-positive hotel in the U.S. The website explains that its main purpose is "to provide sustainable, nature-inspired lodging while actively removing more carbon dioxide from the air than it emits over its entire lifespan."  

Besides all the practical reasons behind the design, the building just looks plain cool! The whimsical windows absolutely delight me! There are 365 of them. ​

Some ground floor windows are as tall as 30 feet. Those crazy shapes are fun, the way they make the hotel look like a giant cheese grater. But they're practical. The built-in hood on each window, acts as an awning keeping rooms shaded and channeling rainwater away from the glass.

Inspired by Trees

A narrower view made the building seem more futuristic... something for space travel or maybe some rising structures in a Seuss book, or an old Jetson's cartoon.  

But it was really the aspen tree that inspired the design of this hotel. Think of an aspen grove, where tall trees stand side-by-side... white bark covered with dark eye-shaped scars.

What is Populus?

I'm a huge fan of quaking aspens, but I never knew the term Populus Tremuloides. 

The hotel was named Populus, for the scientific name that basically means trembling poplar. Love it!
 
Inspired by Nature

We arrived at 2:30 and got a warm welcome from staff behind the magnificent lobby desk... made from a fallen Rio Grand cottonwood tree! Every nook and cranny of this hotel was carefully planned with nature in mind.

Cameron checked us in and told us some intriguing facts about our nature inspired, luxury hotel. He explained the hotel's One Night One Tree initiative, that I had read about. Our one night stay, meant that one tree would be planted. The hotel is 1.5 years old and over 34,000 have been planted so far.

​Common Spaces

Cameron pointed out the Pasque Restaurant, with its "mushroom tapestry" which we learned more about later.

He also pointed out the Little Owl Coffee Cafe, beneath the floating staircase. I asked the barista what her favorite part of the hotel was. She said the rooftop garden.

I stood back and scratched my head, as I stared towards the curving shapes of the counter and stairway.

I found the interior as mind boggling as the exterior. There was something very alive about the shapes and lines... almost growing in different directions.

Before heading to our room I made a quick dash up those stairs.

I found a peaceful lounge with modern seating and earthy colors... a ceiling made from reclaimed snow fencing. 

Comfy chairs looked out towards the aspen-eye windows, making me feel like a kid, peeking out of a treehouse.

I Love a Surprise

I headed back to the coiling stairway and took in the view. How I love a hotel with some stair drama! I've been known to book a hotel just because they have exciting stairs. But I'd booked this hotel for its magical exterior. The stairs were an added surprise!

No sliding down this railing, but I rushed down on foot, eager to grab Don and check out our room. 

Birds & Curves

The elevator offered another surprise. I found myself scratching my head again, when I thought I heard a bird singing softly. It wasn't a trapped bird, but a lovely recording that was created for our riding pleasure. 

The doors opened and we stepped into a corridor as dim and quiet as a forest. Did I smell the scent of cedar? Before we reached our door, we met up with a curving wall of concrete. Another reminder that our hotel was as unpredictable as nature. Would we see any straight lines in this hotel?

Arches

I was glad our room number was lit... my eyes are old. The shape of our lovely lamp mimicked the the arched windows that greeted, when we stepped inside the room.

I was delighted to see 2 of our very own aspen-eye windows in our guest room!

It was nice to examine these windows close up. The unique shape and the thick hooded feature helped to block the summer sun... when the clouds moved. 

I loved how the windows lightened the room after the dim hall. Mostly I loved how the shapes created frames for our fun city view!

Lots of Wood

We noticed a lot of wood in the hotel structure, but also in smaller details. Instead of a plastic door "key"  we had a round wood key, with swirling rings. Even the envelope that held the keys had a purpose. Seeds were built into the plantable paper. 

A wooden box held a QR code for tipping... and we could dangle a wooden sign on our door handle, to remind housekeeping that we were hibernating!

Round and Green

There were very few angles and no bright colors in the room. Rounded shapes and soft earthy colors.

A roundish desk held a round lamp. Green chairs with curved backs, sat beside the bright round eye-window.

2 pine green glasses and a matching slim pitcher made our water taste even fresher.

We found the water dispenser in the hall. Pure and cold! Without the waste of disposable cups.

Angles?

Even the bedside tables avoided harsh angles.

A few interesting goodies from books to phone chargers, were within reach. A piece of art sort of floated above the table, as if it had been caught by a breeze.

Concrete Ceiling

The hotel was built using a low-carbon concrete mix. There are a few eco-friendly purposes for using concrete. Insulation is one of them. 

For me the raw looking ceiling was just another fun surprise, when I  plopped back on the bed. It gave me a  unique way to visualize the shape of our room. No rectangular room for us!

Zen Bathroom

The spotless bathroom was pleasant from the sweet framed buffalo image...

... to the sweet smelling bath products!

​Room Entertainment 

It seemed a little sinful to turn on the TV, to anything besides a nature documentary. But it was Father's Day and this Daddio chose a World Cup match. Fair enough!

Moments later he had better entertainment. Calls from his kiddos!

Window entertainment was my first choice for spending a few minutes chilling. I sat on the bed and studied the view. ​

I actually got to witness 2 little birds coming my way. No worries about hitting the window. The "fritted" or dotted glass broke up the reflection. They were warned and just perched on the sill for a moment.

Drinks at Pasque

Around 6:30, Don and I headed downstairs to enjoy Pasque's bar. Ethan did much more than shake up martinis for us. When we inquired, he was eager to share everything he knew about the creation of this remarkable hotel.

He told us about the canopy suspended above us. Honestly I can't remember how he explained it!

But I looked it up later and relearned... the display is made from 500 sheets of a mycelium-based material. Mycelium is the root structure of mushrooms! Crazy!

Ethan explained how the terrazzo floor was made from locally sourced rocks, gathered near the South Platte River. He pointed to a crack and explained how that happens naturally. 

Off to Dinner

At 7:30 we headed for the elevators. I paused for a dramatic pose on the stairs. Cheers to cool stairs!

We headed up to the top floor for dinner at Stellar Jay. Named for that wonderful crested jay, that we've seen on many a roadtrip, west of the Rocky Mountains.

I snapped a few photos earlier, when I went up to the rooftop restaurant to change our reservation time.  

At 4:30, the staff let me peek in and I just grinned when I saw views of the Denver skyline. I kept fingers crossed that we'd end up with a table near a window!

We did! 

We ended up at one of the few small tables, near an aspen-eye window!

Sitting on the side of the table I noticed a hand-decorated card welcoming us. I looked around and saw nothing like it on any other tables.

Our server Jaylen greeted us, "Aren't you celebrating a roadtrip?" she asked.

We were and we made a toast to that! I had totally forgotten that I responded to a question about celebrations, when I booked online. We will be celebrating 47 years of roadtrips together!

​We started celebrating with an order of sourdough bread, with charred onion butter. Yum!

No photos of my roasted chicken or Don's braised bison short rib! Both were amazing, as was the blood orange sorbet with crystallized chocolate! I savored every bite while enjoying the chic dining space, filled with delicious smells from the wood-fired kitchen!

Looking Out

While the evening progressed I kept an eye on the amazing view behind my chair. I also popped up a few times to check out other views. Stellar Jay's barstools offered some great views.

I stepped outside to see the terrace lounge, which was empty due to drizzle. Looking back at the window I could see the reflected image of the city. Above the window, I spied the roof garden that the barista mentioned.  

Next I turned towards the city and took in the view of Denver, on a damp Sunday evening.

The gold dome of the capital looking extra dramatic with stormy skies!

The clouds blocked the 8:30 sunset... 

...but the view from our table was ever-changing, with the weather and lighting. ​

Night Shots

​I was determined to see what our hotel looked like when it was lit at night. Don and I stepped out for a while.

It was indeed impressive, but the windows weren't all glowing like I for some reason expected. This is an eco-friendly hotel after all.  

Don and I walked just a bit before turning in. 

I wanted to show him the wonderful statue I'd seen earlier across the street.

Night Windows
​
We were back to the room before 10, to enjoy a whole different kind of view through the windows.

There wasn't much happening on a Sunday evening. Which was good I guess. The concrete building did its job. We heard no sounds from inside or outside the building.

​Before 6 am

We both slept well, even though I had only pulled the drapes closed over the larger window. I wanted at least see one of our special windows in view, all night.

Before 6 am I got up and to a look. Sleepy Denver on a Monday.

Morning at Populus

Since I was up, I decided to throw on shorts and tennis shoes.

I took the elevator to the second floor and admired the displayed slice of tree. 

I studied the beautiful woven rugs, on my way to the spacious gym.

My photo only shows one piece of the spotless fitness room. I had the gym and all the windows to myself, while I did a short workout. 

Wandering

I saved a little energy for a brisk walk. The air was fresh and clear after the rain.

I wandered the triangular block once again and ventured towards the capital and other nearby buildings. So peaceful before 7.

Coffee

We made coffee in our room with our electric kettle and coffee bags.

We took our pretty clay mugs with us to the second floor lounge.

There was no need to rush before continuing our roadtrip that morning. We would end up having a picnic in Vail a few hours later, where we studied aspen trees with a whole new appreciation!

What's Notable?

Our stay was even more entertaining and comfortable than I expected. The hotel felt luxurious and classy, while it put a gentle spotlight on nature and ecology. There was nothing intimidating or braggadocios about all the hotel's eco-friendly details. The staff was extremely welcoming and helpful. I love how everyone we spoke with shared a refreshing enthusiasm for Populus.

Memorable Views! That's what I'll remember most. It was exciting to see  the grand exterior, from different angles. But seeing the views from our room (and at dinner) through those fabulous windows, was the absolute best!

Cheers to aspen-windows from inside or out!
​