Manfred Steuerwald has been appointed General Manager at Populus Denver
Populus Hotels, a collection of carbon positive hotels that celebrate and protect the natural world, is pleased to announce the appointment of Manfred Steuerwald as general manager of Populus Denver. Manfred brings 40 years of industry experience to the helm of the sustainably-forward property, which opened in October 2024 and has since been named Esquire's 2025 Hotel of the Year, honored by TIME, Travel + Leisure, and AFAR as one of the world's best new hotels, and named winner of the Bright Ideas Award by Conde Nast Traveler and Change Makers, Sustainability Award by SKIFT. In his role, Steuerwald oversees all aspects of hotel operations, team leadership, and guest experience.
Raised on a farm just outside Vienna, Austria, Steuerwald discovered a passion for food and hospitality early on, taking his first job washing dishes in a local restaurant after school. That spark led him to pursue formal training in culinary and hospitality arts, which set the stage for a global career. He honed his craft in kitchens across Germany and South Africa and later joined the opening team of the Royal Viking Queen cruise ship, delivering fine dining experiences on luxury voyages around the world. In 1998, Steuerwald joined Hyatt as a sous chef at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cayman. He quickly rose through the ranks, eventually serving as executive chef at flagship properties including Grand Hyatt Kauai and Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego. His love for food, paired with a talent for leadership, paved the way for a seamless transition into operations. 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.
Created by Urban Villages, a leading developer and environmental steward, and brought to life in collaboration with Aparium Hotel Group, a visionary operator of independent, luxury lifestyle hotels, Populus Denver is an urban hotel that blends nature-inspired design with environmentally conscious hospitality to put the health of the planet first. The property, which represents the country's first carbon positive hotel, crafts an inspired guest experience through its 265 modern guest rooms and suites; dynamic social areas including flexible meeting and event spaces; two distinct restaurants - Pasque, an all-day dining destination, and Stellar Jay, a lively rooftop restaurant and bar; beloved Little Owl Coffee, which serves signature beverages and pastries in the lobby; and iconic Aspen tree-inspired design by AD100 architecture firm, Studio Gang, with interiors by Wildman Chalmers Design that celebrate nature and pay homage to the Mountain West, along with a thought-provoking art collection, curated by artist and environmentalist Katherine Homes. Populus Denver opened as a skyline-defining architectural landmark, setting a new benchmark for sustainable travel, and 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.
For more information, please visit populusdenver.com or follow along @populushotel_denver.
