DENVER (KDVR) — The Michelin Guide has awarded several Colorado hotels with Michelin Keys, including one Denver hotel that was honored with its first ever.
There are 7,000 properties included in the Michelin Guide hotel selection. Hotels can earn one to three Keys, with three being the best. The Michelin Guide began awarding Keys in 2024.
Denver’s Populus Hotel was awarded its first-ever Michelin Key. The hotel opened last fall and strives to be the world’s first carbon-positive hotel.
The hotel was recognized for its commitment to sustainability, nature-inspired design, service and guest experience.
Populus was named one of the world’s greatest places in 2025 by Time Magazine, and it was named hotel of the year by Esquire magazine.
Other Denver hotels that have received the award before were also crowned with keys this year, including:
- The Crawford Hotel
- Clayton Hotel and Members Club
- Four Seasons Denver
“Congratulations to Denver’s Michelin Key and Selected hotels including Populus joining The Crawford Hotel, Clayton Hotel & Members Club and Four Season as Key recognized,” said Richard W. Scharf, president and CEO of Visit Denver. “Receiving a Michelin Key indicates a hotel has shown excellence in architecture and interior design, quality and consistency of service, overall personality and character, value for the price and a significant contribution to the neighborhood or setting. We are grateful to hotel owners and staff who work hard every day to create an inviting environment for visitors across the city.”
Other Colorado hotels were also recognized in the awards.
Dunton Hot Springs in southwestern Colorado earned two Michelin Keys.
The following hotels earned one Michelin Key:
- Aspen: Hotel Jerome, Auberge Resorts Collection
- Aspen: Mollie Aspen
- Aspen: The Little Nell
- Denver: Clayton Hotel & Members Club
- Denver: Four Seasons Denver
- Denver: Populus
- Denver: The Crawford Hotel
- Fort Collins: The Armstrong Hotel
- Fort Collins: The Elizabeth Hotel, Autograph Collection
- Telluride: Lumière with Inspirato
- Telluride: Madeline Hotel & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection
- Vail: Four Seasons Vail
- Vail: Sonnenalp Hotel
A full list of hotels that received the honor can be found on the Michelin Guide website.
Want more insights? Join Working Title - our career elevating newsletter and get the future of work delivered weekly.
