Populus Hotels, a collection of carbon-positive hotels aimed at protecting nature, has appointed Manfred Steuerwald as general manager of Populus Denver. Steuerwald brings 40 years of industry experience to the helm of the sustainably-forward property, which opened in October 2024.
“Populus Denver was designed to challenge the boundaries of what a hotel can be—not only architecturally and environmentally, but in how it engages with its guests and community,” said Jon Beurge, chief executive officer of Urban Villages, owner and creator of Populus Hotels. “Manfred’s approach to leadership, passion for nature and respect for purpose-driven hospitality make him an ideal fit to continue building on Populus Denver’s mission and reputation as one of the world’s best hotels and a vibrant destination for guests and locals.”
Steuerwal’s hospitality career began with culinary roles at the Royal Viking Queen cruise ship and later at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cayman. He rose through the ranks, eventually serving as executive chef at flagship properties including Grand Hyatt Kauai and Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego. Later, he took on roles as director of food and beverage in San Diego and director of operations at Hyatt Regency Denver before being tapped to lead Hyatt Regency Calgary—20 years after his earlier tenure there—as general manager. He went on to serve as general manager of Everline Resort & Spa, a Destination by Hyatt property in Olympic Valley, Calif., and most recently, at Grand Hyatt Seattle.
“What drew me to Populus Denver is its clarity of purpose and the exceptionally unique guest experience it affords,” he said. “Every element, from its zero-waste restaurants to its intentional design to its sustainability model, demonstrates how hospitality can serve both people and planet. My career began in culinary arts and has been shaped by a deep appreciation for global hospitality and the outdoors, values that align with the hotel’s ethos. I am proud to lead a team that shares that passion and I look forward to continuing the hotel’s commitment to sustainability and to reconnecting guests with nature at Populus Denver.”
Created by Urban Villages, a sustainability-focused real estate developer, and brought to life in collaboration with Aparium Hotel Group, the 265-room Populus Denver is an urban hotel that blends nature-inspired design with environmentally conscious hospitality, prioritizing the health of the planet. The property operates on regenerative hospitality principles, including zero-waste systems and the One Night, One Tree program, which plants a tree for every night’s stay.