Populus Hotel Seattle: Inside Pioneer Square's Most Stylish Boutique Stay

Coming back to Seattle is always fun, and this trip gave me the perfect excuse to try a new spot: Populus Hotel, a stylish boutique hotel covered in plants in Seattle's Pioneer Square.

From the beautifully designed rooms to the art around every corner, I loved how lush plants were woven throughout the entire hotel. It made the whole stay feel fresh, calming, and connected to nature.

Where to eat and drink nearby:

Dinner at Salt Harvest was delicious. We loved a fresh rosemary sprig in a non-alcoholic cocktail, and the peach caprese with balsamic was truly heavenly. You have to try it.

After dinner, head up to Firn for rooftop city views.

And every morning at Populus, you get a free coffee or tea from The Cafe, serving Monorail Espresso, which you already know is good.

📍 Populus Hotel, Pioneer Square, Seattle

Have questions about this experience or planning your own luxury Seattle stay? Let me know, always happy to help you plan it out.

Looking to partner on a luxury travel or hospitality feature? Reach out: carlyfeatures@gmail.com

Hiking to Dream Lake: The Best Rocky Mountain National Park Day Trip from Denver

Rocky Mountain National Park — what a day trip!

I hiked to the aptly-named Dream Lake from Bear Lake Road, and it did not disappoint. Crystal clear water, and the kind of view that makes you stop mid-conversation.

If you're ever in the Denver area, I highly recommend this one. It's a pretty easy/moderate hike, so it works whether you're an experienced hiker or just want a solid payoff without a brutal climb.

Tip: book your timed entry for Bear Lake Road in advance when you're planning your trip — spots fill up.

📍 Dream Lake, Bear Lake Road, Rocky Mountain National Park

Looking to book a Denver-based host, emcee, or content creator for your event or brand? Reach out: carlyfeatures@gmail.com


Chateau Ste. Michelle's Rose Garden High Tea: A Wine Country Date Idea Near Seattle

This post is in partnership with @chateaustemichelle.

If you're looking for something magical to do this summer in Washington, Chateau Ste. Michelle's Rose Garden "High Tea" experience needs to be on your list.

This brand collaboration was SO much fun! You get wine paired with tea party bites, seated right in the middle of one of the prettiest rose gardens I've been to. It's the kind of experience that feels fancy but isn't stuffy — perfect for a girls' day or a date that's a little more special than the usual dinner-and-drinks.

Interested in a branded partnership like this one for your business? Reach out: CarlyFeatures@gmail.com

How I Cured my FOMO

I moved back to Colorado last year and made a huge life change — leaving Seattle, stepping away from a TV career I'd built for years, and figuring out what came next.

I kept getting stuck on the same question: should I stay in Seattle? Move back to LA? Chicago? Keep doing TV, or pivot to something else entirely?

My friend Tory said something that stuck with me — instead of asking "what am I giving up?" ask, "but what did I get instead?"

For me, that was: weekend hangs with my mom. Living down the street from my brother. Being 20 minutes from my best friend since I was 12. The freedom to work with brands I was restricted from in news. A calmer nervous system. Lower cost of living (not that low, let's be real). Year-round sunshine. And so much more.

If you're in your own in-between right now, try asking yourself that question and see how it shifts things.

What did YOU get instead? I'd genuinely love to hear it — drop it in the comments on the original post or send me a message.

Looking to book a Denver-based host, emcee, or content creator for your event or brand? Reach out: carlyfeatures@gmail.com

Garden of the Gods Feels like a Mini National Park!

Garden of the Gods feels like a mini national park — and the wild part is it's completely free to visit, right in Colorado Springs.

I couldn't resist doing this one with my dog Waffles. Something about those red rock formations made him smile so big during this silly, joyful video.

This spot is unreal for photos- the sandstone formations tower right over the trails and there's barely any elevation gain, so it's an easy one even if your pup (or you) aren't up for a big hike.

📍 Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs

Follow along for more Colorado adventures- with and without Waffles: @carlyhenderson_

Looking to book a Denver-based host, emcee, or content creator for your event or brand? Reach out: carlyfeatures@gmail.com

Goldens in Golden 2026: Visit the Colorado Town with Thousands of Golden Retrievers!

Denver content creator Carly Henderson stands in front of the "Welcome to Golden" sign at the Goldens in Golden event in 2026.

Ever wondered what it would be like if thousands of golden retrievers took over your town? 

I went to “Goldens in Golden” - the yearly event filled with silliness, dogs in costumes, and so much joy!

Send this to someone who would love being in a sea of golden retrievers + save this for next year!

📍 Golden, Colorado

Follow me for more fun things to do in Denver and around Colorado! @carlyhenderson_

Cheers to Trying New Things and Celebrating the Wins!

Over the past few months, I’ve been developing a social media series called “Rain or Shine” where I highlight unique things to do around the PNW through short-form storytelling designed for digital attention spans. A recent episode where I visited Roam Wolfdog Sanctuary in Shelton, Washington is nearing 200K views on TikTok with strong engagement across my other platforms as well.

 
Seattle Content Creator Carly Henderson with a wolfdog

Feeding a wolf by hand in this episode of “Rain or Shine”!

(190k+ TikTok views, 6,900 shares & 5,800 saves)

 

Most people know me from my work as a TV host and features reporter covering entertainment, lifestyle, and Seattle events. Creating “Rain or Shine” has been a great reminder that strong storytelling works everywhere. Studio. Camera. Phone. Any platform. My goal is always the same: make something entertaining and informative and bring people into an experience that inspires them to try new things and explore.

As the media landscape keeps evolving, I’ve been focused on sharpening my digital skills: content creation, video production, editing, cross-platform strategy, short-form storytelling, and travel content. This series has grown into a place where I can use everything I know about on-camera hosting and blend it with what I love about social media creativity.

 
Content Creator Carly Henderson in Seattle's Hot Tub Boat

Did you know you can rent a hot tub that floats on a lake in Seattle?

 

I’m excited to continue building Rain or Shine while exploring new opportunities in video content, creative strategy, tech, travel, TV, and digital media.

As the series grows, I’m exploring opportunities to partner with a brand that would be a strong fit as an overall sponsor. I’d also be open to sponsorship for individual episodes or a short run of episodes.

And if you ever need creative storytelling that connects with people, or if you know a great PNW adventure I should feature next, I’d love to connect.

Interested in collaborating? Reach out at carlyfeatures@gmail.com and let’s talk ideas!

Rain or Shine: Visiting Roam Wolfdog Sanctuary – A Unique Pacific Northwest Experience

 
Travel creator Carly Henderson feeds two wolfdogs by hand at Roam Wolfdog Sanctuary in Washington State

Click to watch the TikTok video

 

I recently visited Roam Wolfdog Sanctuary, a wolfdog sanctuary near Hood Canal, Washington, as part of my Rain or Shine series. This special place allows visitors to hike and interact with socialized wolfdog puppies, and I even got to feed a wolfdog by hand — an unforgettable experience!

For this episode (which got nearly 100,000 views on TikTok within a day and 190,000 views within the first week), I focused on capturing the unique personalities of these incredible animals, the sanctuary’s mission, and the serene natural surroundings. Rain or Shine is all about showing authentic and inspiring experiences in the PNW, and this episode highlights the beauty of connecting with nature in a safe, responsible way.

This project reflects the type of creative content I produce for wildlife, travel, and lifestyle brands — from concept and scripting to filming, editing, and storytelling. If you’re a sanctuary, tourism organization, or brand interested in authentic influencer content, Rain or Shine is designed to showcase your experiences naturally and compellingly.

As the series continue to grow, I’m exploring partnerships with brands that would be a natural fit—whether as an overall sponsor, for individual episodes, or for a short run of content.

Interested in collaborating? Reach out at carlyfeatures@gmail.com and let’s talk ideas!

Check In With Carly: Alderbrook Resort & Spa – A Pacific Northwest Weekend Escape

 
Travel Content Creator Carly Henderson holkds a heart symbol with her hands in front of Alderbrook Resort in Union, Washington

Click the image to watch :)

 

You need to add this to your Pacific Northwest bucket list! 🌲

I recently spent a weekend at Alderbrook Resort & Spa, a pet-friendly waterfront resort on the Hood Canal, just two hours from Seattle. From cozy rooms and a spa with a view to Northwest-inspired cuisine, it was the perfect weekend escape — and a beautiful setting for my Check In With Carly series, where I explore unforgettable destinations, starting with Washington and the PNW.

For this episode, I focused on capturing the resort’s serene atmosphere, unique amenities, and local experiences. We also highlighted nearby adventures, like a visit to Roam Wolfdog Sanctuary, and local dining at Hook and Fork. My goal with Check In With Carly is always to create content that’s visually stunning, informative, and aspirational, while staying authentic and engaging for my audience.

This project reflects the type of creative content I produce for travel, lifestyle, and tourism brands — from concept and scripting to filming, editing, and storytelling. If you’re a resort, destination, or brand interested in authentic content creation and influencer collaboration, Check In With Carly is designed to showcase your property or experience in a natural and compelling way.

If you’re interested in collaborating and being featured in a future episode of 'Check In with Carly' - reach out! CarlyFeatures@gmail.com