
Populus
Best for design-forward, sustainability-minded travelers and those who want rooftop dining and Civic Center Park views.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Populus is a newer, sustainability-focused 13-story downtown Denver hotel with biophilic design, rooftop dining, and easy access to Civic Center Park — good for travelers who want a design-forward, green stay and rooftop views. The Westin Denver Downtown is an established 4-star, large branded hotel in the core of downtown with big meeting spaces and indoor/outdoor pools — a fit for travelers who want a familiar full-service brand, conference facilities, and on-site pool options.
Updated · about 0.6 km apart

Best for design-forward, sustainability-minded travelers and those who want rooftop dining and Civic Center Park views.

Best for travelers who want a familiar upscale brand, large conference space, and indoor/outdoor pool options in the heart of downtown.
When Populus wins: choose Populus if you prioritize a newly opened, design-led property with a sustainability story, complimentary high-speed Wi‑Fi, included fitness access (Peloton bikes), and strong rooftop dining and event options facing Civic Center Park.
When The Westin Denver Downtown wins: choose The Westin if you need a large, full-service hotel with substantial conference and meeting space, both indoor and outdoor pools, valet/covered parking options, and the reassurance of a long-established brand in a central downtown spot.
Bottom line: both hotels are convenient for downtown Denver sights. Pick Populus for newer design, sustainability, and rooftop food/drink culture; pick The Westin for big‑meeting needs, pool access, and a familiar branded experience.
| Category | Populus | The Westin Denver Downtown |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | New, biophilic, sustainability-focused boutique scale | Established upscale branded full-service hotel |
| Location | Across from Civic Center Park; short walk to museums and Capitol | Central downtown; steps from 16th Street Mall and Larimer Square |
| Size | 265 rooms across 13 floors | 430 rooms (supplier listing) |
| Opened / age | Opened October 2024 (new) | Established property — exact original opening date Not published |
| Pools | No on-site pool | Indoor and outdoor pools (on-site) |
| Restaurants & bars | Three venues: Pasque (all-day), Stellar Jay (rooftop), Little Owl Coffee | At least 1 restaurant, 1 coffee shop/cafe, and 1 bar/lounge on site |
| Spa & wellness | No spa; 24-hour fitness center with Peloton bikes included (destination fee) | Health/beauty spa nearby (supplier listing); fitness facilities on site |
| Meeting & event space | About 3,135 sq ft of meeting/event space; multiple rooftop and Level 2 venues (weddings up to ~120 guests) | Large conference center and meeting rooms — 32,001 sq ft (2973 m²) of conference space |
| Parking | No on-site self-parking; 24-hour valet available (surcharge) | Self parking and covered valet parking available (surcharge) |
| Accessibility | Accessible public areas and meeting rooms; elevators | Wheelchair-accessible parking, registration, meeting spaces and pool (may have limitations) |
| Nearby highlights | Civic Center Park, Denver Art Museum, Clyfford Still Museum, Colorado State Capitol | 16th Street Mall, Larimer Square, Denver Performing Arts Complex, Colorado Convention Center |
Populus sits directly across from Civic Center Park with short walks to the Denver Art Museum, Clyfford Still Museum, and the State Capitol.
Best for guests who want immediate access to Civic Center Park and downtown museums.
The Westin Denver Downtown is in the heart of downtown, a short walk from the 16th Street Mall, Larimer Square, and Union Station.
Best for guests who need a central, convention-friendly downtown base with easy transit links.
Populus offers 265 purposefully designed rooms and suites with nature-inspired details and complimentary high-speed Wi‑Fi.
Choose Populus for newer design-forward rooms and suites that reflect the hotel's biophilic concept.
The Westin has a wide selection of traditional, deluxe, premium and suite room types across a large room inventory.
Choose The Westin when you want a broad range of room types and the predictability of a major hotel brand.
Populus centers much of its identity on on-site dining across three venues, including a rooftop live-fire restaurant.
Populus is stronger for guests prioritizing creative, locally rooted dining and a rooftop restaurant scene.
The Westin offers on-site restaurant, coffee shop/cafe, and a bar/lounge for familiar full‑service dining options.
The Westin provides dependable on-site dining for convention and business guests who prefer brand-standard meals.
Populus does not have a pool; its signature on-site amenity is the rooftop dining/terrace and views over Civic Center Park.
If pool access is important, Populus is not a match; choose it for rooftop and cultural access instead.
The Westin offers both an indoor pool and an outdoor pool, plus fitness and leisure facilities.
The Westin is the clear choice for travelers who want on-site pool facilities with their downtown stay.
Populus focuses on a 24-hour fitness center (Peloton bikes included) plus on-site dining and rooftop nightlife in the evenings.
Pick Populus for round-the-clock fitness and a lively rooftop bar; don’t expect a dedicated spa.
The Westin provides fitness facilities and has nearby spa/beauty services listed; its downtown location also connects you to Denver nightlife.
The Westin suits guests who want on-site fitness and access to poolside leisure, with spa options nearby.

Populus — newer, carbon-positive claims and Studio Gang biophilic design focused on nature-inspired materials.

The Westin Denver Downtown — large branded conference center and extensive meeting space (32,001 sq ft listed).

Populus — Stellar Jay rooftop live-fire restaurant and public terrace with mountain and downtown views.

The Westin Denver Downtown — both indoor and outdoor pools and full-service hotel amenities.
Populus — Stellar Jay is a rooftop live-fire restaurant with a public terrace and mountain/skyline views; Populus emphasizes rooftop dining as a primary amenity.
The Westin Denver Downtown has both indoor and outdoor pools; Populus does not have a pool.
For large conferences the Westin is likely the better fit because of its extensive conference center (listed at ~32,001 sq ft); Populus offers smaller, design-forward meeting and event spaces up to its rooftop buyouts and Level 2 rooms.
Both welcome guests of all ages, but both properties require the guest checking in to be at least 21 years old.
The Westin offers self parking and covered valet parking (surcharge). Populus was intentionally built without on-site self-parking; 24-hour valet is available for a fee.
Explore how Populus stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·