Populus Hotel

Denver

At first glance, the Gaudí-style facade feels out of place, but the inspiration behind Populus is far closer to its Denver home. Drawing from Colorado’s native aspen tree, the architecture is a masterclass in biophilic design. Every detail is intentional, from the forest-hued lobby to the dramatic views from rooftop restaurant Stellar Jay, and the eye-shaped windows that echo aspen bark. Nature isn’t just about aesthetics: Populus is redefining sustainable luxury as the first carbon-positive hotel in the US. Pasque restaurant puts the spotlight on regional game and inventive plant-based dishes and the ethos continues beyond checkout too: food waste is composted and returned to local farms, and each stay plants a tree with the US Forest Service. It’s the breath of fresh air needed to start 2026 on the right foot.

Words by Megan Dickson. Photos by Yoshihiro Makino. Doubles from £123.