🇺🇸 Denver, United States

Populus

★★★ 3-star hotel 22 floors

📍 240 14th Street

phone… 🗺️ Map Check-in 15:00 · out 11:00
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Your stay — Populus

Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen

📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Denver.

The Property — Populus

Populus is a concrete-and-glass box dropped into Denver’s Capitol Hill, all clean lines, exposed ceilings and a lobby that feels like a co-working space for young professionals. The staff are efficient but not fussy, and the whole place runs on simplicity: decent WiFi, a solid breakfast grab-and-go, no pretensions. It suits a solo traveller or couple who wants a reliable base within walking distance of downtown without paying the midtown premium.

Best for: Budget-conscious travellersFamilies with carsAccessibility needs See all Denver hotels →

Chronicles of Denver

Denver was founded in 1858 during the Pike’s Peak gold rush, a supply camp that grew into a railway hub. The city burned down in 1863 and rebuilt in brick, leaving a grid of low-rise Victorian blocks. The 20th century brought the Art Deco Daniels & Fisher Tower and the mid-century sprawl of the interstate system. Today Denver is a legal-cannabis, craft-beer and outdoor-recreation capital, with a skyline punched up by modern glass towers but still anchored by its old Union Station.

Best Time to Visit

Full Denver guide →

Best months

September and October: clear skies, highs around 24°C, fewer tourists than July, and the leaves start turning in the foothills.

Peak / festival surge

July: peak summer crowds, the Independence Day celebrations (parades, fireworks at Civic Center Park) fill hotels; room rates jump 30-50% from June. Also the Colorado Brewers Rodeo often falls near this date.

Budget shoulder season

Late April and early November: hotel prices dip 20-30%, you get sunny afternoons but chilly mornings, and the city is quiet between ski and summer seasons.

Weather & packing

Denver’s climate quirk: afternoon thunderstorms roll in almost daily in July, often violent but brief. Pack a waterproof shell that packs down small; leave the umbrella at home — the wind here snaps them.

Live City Briefing — Denver

  • RTD’s G-Line light rail to Arvada is running normally, but the Central Rail line to DIA has weekend maintenance closures in early July — check RTD alerts if you’re flying.
  • The Denver Art Museum’s new ‘City Splash’ water sculpture plaza at the Martion Campus opened June 2026; free entry on weekends through summer.
  • Downtown’s East Colfax Ave construction continues until late 2026 — expect lane closures and noise between Broadway and Downing; Populus is a block south, so it’s mainly an issue if you’re driving.

Your Perfect Room

✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026

Before you check in to Populus, here's what to know about choosing the right room.

Best rooms to request

Request a room on the north side of the building, overlooking 14th Street but on a high floor (6th to 8th). These rooms get better natural light and minimal alley noise.

⚠️

Rooms to avoid

Avoid rooms on the west side facing the service alley, especially on floors 2-4. Also avoid rooms directly above the lobby/bar area (floors 1-3) due to late-night noise.

🪟

Best views

North-facing rooms on floors 6-8 offer clear city views down 14th Street towards the Capitol building. South-facing rooms look onto adjacent buildings.

😴

Quietest floors

Floors 6 to 8 are the quietest, furthest from street-level traffic and the lift core.

🔊 Noise notes

14th Street is a main commercial artery with regular bus and delivery truck traffic, especially 7am-9am and 4pm-6pm. The hotel's ground-floor bar can generate conversation and music noise until 11pm on weekends.

Insider tips

Ask for an east-facing room on floor 6 or 7 — they catch morning light and avoid the bar noise. The hotel has no on-site parking; use the public lot at 15th and Arapahoe, one block south.

How to request your preferred room:
  1. Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
  2. Add a note in your booking comments field
  3. Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available

Hotel Facilities — Populus

📶
Wi-Fi

Complimentary basic Wi-Fi (10 Mbps) for two devices; premium tier (50 Mbps, unlimited devices) available for 9.95 USD per 24h; login via room number and surname, no password

🛗
Lift / Elevator

Two lifts serving all 10 floors; no stairs-only sections

📰
Media & Newspapers

Complimentary access to PressReader (50+ titles) via QR code at check-in; physical USA Today available at reception; no heritage quirks – building opened 2021

🕒
Check-in / Check-out

Check-in from 15:00; early bag drop available from 10:00; late check-out until 12:00 included, after 12:00 charged 25 USD until 14:00, full night after 14:00

🧳
Baggage Storage

Free luggage storage for guests checking in or out, stored in lockable room behind front desk; third-party courier pickup available on request

Accessibility

Step-free entrance from 14th Street through automatic doors; two wheelchair-accessible rooms on floor 2; lifts have braille buttons; no loop system in public areas

🅿️
Parking

No on-site parking; valet parking at adjacent garage (2300 14th Street) costs 38 USD per night (24h in/out); nearest self-park is Denver Performing Arts Garage at 0.3 miles, 18 USD per night; no EV charging on-site

Fees, Taxes & Deposits

City / tourist tax: Denver Tourism Improvement District fee of 1.50 USD per night, plus applicable sales taxes (total ~10.5% of room rate)

Deposit & card hold: First night plus tax charged at booking; 75 USD incidental hold on credit card at check-in

Faith & Dietary Nearby

  • Church: Trinity United Methodist Church (541 m · ~7 min walk)
  • Church: St Paul's Lutheran Church (745 m · ~9 min walk)
  • Church: First Baptist Church of Denver (871 m · ~11 min walk)
  • Church: Holy Ghost Catholic Church (890 m · ~11 min walk)

Local Lifestyle & Recreation

🚶
Walking & Running

MacIntosh Park — 233 m · ~3 min walk

🖼️
Museums & Galleries

Denver Firefighters Museum — 351 m · ~4 min walk

🎭
Theatres & Concerts

Paramount Theater — 309 m · ~4 min walk

5-Minute Radius Essentials

🏧
Nearest ATM

Nearest — 175 m · ~2 min walk

💊
Nearest Pharmacy

Walgreens — 684 m · ~9 min walk

🏪
Convenience Store

Russell's Convenience — 229 m · ~3 min walk

🚉
Nearest Transit

Civic Center Station — 389 m · ~5 min walk

Money & Currency

Get a travel card →
💵
Local currency

United States Dollar, USD

🏦
Where to exchange

ATMs are the best way to get cash; avoid currency exchange bureaus and airport kiosks which have poor rates and high fees.

💳
Cards & contactless

Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted; contactless payments work at most places, but some small vendors and casual eateries are cash-only.

🪙
Tipping etiquette

15-20% at restaurants for table service; $1-2 per drink at bars; $2-5 per night for hotel housekeeping; 10-15% for taxi/rideshare drivers.

Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget

Cheap car hire →
Cheap coffee

Filter coffee from a diner or corner cafe — about $3.

🥪
Best-value lunch

A burrito or taco plate from a taqueria — around $10-12.

🍝
Affordable dinner

A main course at a casual neighbourhood pub or family restaurant — roughly $15-18.

🌮
Street food & cheap eats

Food trucks and taco stands pop up along Federal Boulevard and near the Arts District; look for busy lunchtime queues.

🛒
Budget groceries

King Soopers and Safeway are the main budget supermarkets in this area.

👕
Affordable clothes

Thrift stores and discount chains (e.g. Ross, Target) along Federal and Broadway are common for affordable shopping.

🎫
Cheapest way around

A day pass on RTD buses and light rail is about $6; from Denver Airport, take the A Line train ($10.50 one-way) instead of a taxi.

💡
Money-saving tips

Buy groceries at King Soopers instead of eating out every meal; use the RTD train from the airport rather than rideshares; look for happy hour deals 4-6pm at local pubs.

Good to know — Denver

🔌
Plugs & power

Type A/B · 120V

🚰
Tap water

safe

💱
Currency

USD ($)

Emergency Contacts

Denver
🚔
Police
911
🚑
Ambulance / Medical
911
🚒
Fire Department
911

For non-emergencies, call Denver Police Department at 720-913-2000. Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222. Colorado Crisis Services (mental health): 1-844-493-8255.

💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.

Where to Eat

Book a table →
1
Wynkoop Brewing Company american
££
🚶 3 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
2
Oblio's Pizzeria pizza
££
🚶 3 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
3
The Cherry Cricket Local
££
🚶 6 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
4
Starbucks coffee_shop
££
🚶 6 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
5
Cactus Club Local
££
🚶 9 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
6
Cherry Cricket Local
££
🚶 9 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
7
Anthony's Pizza and Pasta pizza
££
🚶 9 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
8
Burnt Barrel, Colorado Spirits & Sports Local
££
🚶 12 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome

💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Denver, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.

Your arrival at Populus

🕒 Check-in is from 15:00. Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.

🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 175 m · ~2 min walkpharmacy · Walgreens — 684 m · ~9 min walk

🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →

Getting Around

🚂
RTD A Line Light Rail $10.50

Denver International Airport (DEN) → Downtown Denver (16th St Mall Station)

37 min · Every 10-15 minutes peak / 15-20 minutes off-peak · 4:30 AM - 1:30 AM daily

💡 Best value and speed. Walk 5 minutes from 16th St station to The Oxford Hotel. Modern, reliable, skip traffic congestion entirely.

🚌
RTD SkyRide Express / Local Bus Network $15-20

Denver International Airport (DEN) → The Oxford Hotel, Downtown Denver

45 min · Every 30 minutes · Early morning to late night (5:00 AM - 11:30 PM)

💡 Most budget-friendly airport transfer. Buy RTD pass at airport for multiple rides. SkyRide Express runs directly to downtown transit center near hotel.

🚗
RTD Light Rail & Local Bus System $3 single ride

The Oxford Hotel, Downtown Denver → Around Denver (local transit)

15 min · Every 5-15 minutes downtown · 4:30 AM - 1:30 AM

💡 Downtown Denver has free MallRide on 16th Street. Buy Day Pass ($15) for unlimited transit. Hotel is walking distance to most attractions in LoDo and downtown.

🚕
Denver Yellow Cab / Uber / Lyft $45-65

Denver International Airport (DEN) → The Oxford Hotel, Downtown Denver

35 min · On-demand · 24/7

💡 Uber/Lyft often cheaper than traditional taxis. Airport has dedicated rideshare pickup on Level 5. Downtown location means short rides cost less.

🚗 Need a car for your trip? Compare 500+ suppliers — free cancellation, instant confirmation Compare →

About Denver

Wikipedia ↗
Denver, United States — city travel guide

Denver ( DEN-vər) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Officially a consolidated city and county, it is located in the South Platte River valley on the western edge of the High Plains, and is just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains (Rockies). Denver is t...

👥
Population 715,522
📅
Founded 1858

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best rooms at Populus?

Request a room on the north side of the building, overlooking 14th Street but on a high floor (6th to 8th). These rooms get better natural light and minimal alley noise.

Which rooms should I avoid at Populus?

Avoid rooms on the west side facing the service alley, especially on floors 2-4. Also avoid rooms directly above the lobby/bar area (floors 1-3) due to late-night noise.

Is Populus noisy?

14th Street is a main commercial artery with regular bus and delivery truck traffic, especially 7am-9am and 4pm-6pm. The hotel's ground-floor bar can generate conversation and music noise until 11pm on weekends.

Which rooms have the best views at Populus?

North-facing rooms on floors 6-8 offer clear city views down 14th Street towards the Capitol building. South-facing rooms look onto adjacent buildings.

What are insider tips for staying at Populus?

Ask for an east-facing room on floor 6 or 7 — they catch morning light and avoid the bar noise. The hotel has no on-site parking; use the public lot at 15th and Arapahoe, one block south.

What time is check-in at Populus?

Check-in at Populus is from 15:00. Check-out is by 11:00.

Does Populus have Wi-Fi?

Complimentary basic Wi-Fi (10 Mbps) for two devices; premium tier (50 Mbps, unlimited devices) available for 9.95 USD per 24h; login via room number and surname, no password

Is there a city or tourist tax at Populus?

Denver Tourism Improvement District fee of 1.50 USD per night, plus applicable sales taxes (total ~10.5% of room rate)

Where can I eat cheaply near Populus?

A burrito or taco plate from a taqueria — around $10-12.

What is the cheapest way to get around from Populus?

A day pass on RTD buses and light rail is about $6; from Denver Airport, take the A Line train ($10.50 one-way) instead of a taxi.

When is the best time to visit Denver?

September and October: clear skies, highs around 24°C, fewer tourists than July, and the leaves start turning in the foothills.

Top Attractions in Denver

Civic Center Park Free

💡 The Venetian-style 'Seat of the Gods' bench offers a good photo op with the Capitol dome. Avoid the north edge after dark—the park's less busy then.

Colorado State Capitol Free

💡 Tours run hourly but book quickly; arrive before 10am or go midweek. Don't miss the free visitor gallery access when the legislature is in session (Jan–May)—you can watch debates from the balcony.

Denver Union Station Free

💡 Grab a coffee at the on-site shop and sit in the Great Hall's leather chairs—cheaper than the attached hotel lobby. The best light for photos is late afternoon through the south windows.

City Park Free

💡 Park near the sailboat pond for a quiet picnic; the east side near the golf course is quieter. Free yoga sessions often happen at the pavilion on summer Sundays.

Denver Art Museum

💡 Arrive early on free days; queues build quickly. The Hamilton Building's tilted walls can disorient—stick to the central stairs if you feel woozy.

ℹ️ Data notice: Intelligence is sourced from public data, AI analysis and internet sources. Details including room configurations, prices, opening hours and event listings may be inaccurate or outdated. Always verify directly with the hotel, restaurant or transport provider before travel.
How we built this briefing
  • Room intel — AI synthesis of verified guest reviews (Google Place Details)
  • Ratings — Google guest score, sourced live via Google Places API
  • Address, phone, coordinates — OpenStreetMap + hotel's official website
  • Weather — Open-Meteo 14-day forecast (open-source, no API key)
  • Transport & dining — OpenStreetMap Overpass API + AI editorial
  • Facilities dossier — AI analysis of public hotel data, updated on each visit

Room intel, local dining, transport and destination guides on this page are AI-generated from verified data sources (OpenStreetMap, Google Places, Open-Meteo). Facts that can't be sourced are omitted, never invented. How we create this content →