Hotel Drover in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards blends Western heritage with contemporary design. Named after the cowboys who once guided millions of cattle through these streets, the 200-room hotel embraces its roots through thoughtful decor, art, and furnishings.
Guests can unwind in the attractive lobby, mingle over handcrafted cocktails at the bar, or relax under string lights in The Backyard. At 97 West Kitchen & Bar, the hotel's upscale restaurant, ranch-inspired dishes showcase Texas ingredients.
The Stockyards Championship Rodeo, the world's largest honky tonk, saloons, steakhouses, and shops are all within a short walk from Hotel Drover's front door. If you're driving into Fort Worth, you can leave the keys in your room. There's a weekend's worth of fun a few steps away.
I chose Hotel Drover, Autograph Collection, in Fort Worth for a late-winter vacation. It'd been a few years since my first visit to Panther City, and I had three Marriott Award Nights (worth 150,000 points) to use before they expired.
February is the end of the low season, so Kel and I got a fantastic value for the Award Nights. However, I had to top them off with my Marriott Bonvoy points.
As a result, our rooms were fully covered at this One Michelin Key luxury hotel. We'd only pay out of pocket for parking, food, beverages, and gratuities. Read on to learn why Hotel Drover is my top choice for a trip to the Fort Worth Stockyards.
Table of Contents
About Hotel Drover
History
In the 1880s, the Stockyards became a critical juncture for ranchers driving cattle north along the Chisholm Trail. Approximately 4 million cattle moved through Fort Worth between 1866 and 1890.
By the early 20th century, the Stockyards were one of the country's largest livestock markets, earning the nickname "The Wall Street of the West."
Hotel Drover opened on March 22, 2021, anchoring a $175 million revitalization project in the Fort Worth Stockyards, a designated National Historic District. The boutique hotel sits at the southern end of Mule Alley and overlooks Marine Creek.
The transformation of this area began three years earlier with the restoration of century-old horse and mule barns along Mule Alley.
These historic buildings were thoughtfully repurposed into a collection of shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues, including Second Rodeo Brewing and Tannahill's Tavern & Music Hall.
Design
Western, rustic, cowboy-chic. Those are a few ways you could describe the interior design at Hotel Drover. A metal cowboy sculpture greets guests entering through the front door.
On your left are three bespoke leather-bound reception desks with friendly staff waiting to check you in. To your right, there's a concierge desk against a gallery wall of horse photographs. A chandelier of animal horns hangs from above.
The lobby gives way to a spacious two-story lounge with fringe leather swivel chairs by Brumbaugh's, wooden coffee tables, and a vertical display of cowboy hats. Patterned rugs, table lamps, and a large fireplace add warmth.
The first-floor lounge is like a grand living room, where guests can grab a drink at the Lobby Bar, visit the on-site restaurant, or access the two-acre Backyard with a swimming pool, hot tub, and fire pits. In the late afternoon, it serves as a meeting point for guests going out for the night.
Two boutique shops are accessible from the lobby: a Lucchese Custom Collection for custom cowboy boots and Western wear, and Wide Brim by Flea Style for ladies' hats, clothes, and jewelry.
Location
Hotel Drover is at the southern end of the Stockyards, about three miles (and a 10-minute drive) north of downtown Fort Worth.
Due to the lengthy freight trains that still rumble past the east side of the Stockyards, you may be delayed when driving into the area. If you hit traffic backed up at a train crossing, I advise waiting it out. Our U-turn and attempt to circumnavigate the trains only served to frustrate us.
Local points of interest include:
- Cowtown Coliseum (0.1 mile north): Host of the weekly Stockyards Championship Rodeo.
- Billy Bob's Texas (0.3 miles north): World's largest honky tonk and historic country music venue.
- Fort Worth Aviation Museum (2 miles north): Military jets and helicopters.
- Fort Worth Meacham International Airport (2.9 miles north)
- Kimbell Art Museum (3.6 miles south): European and Asian art in a building by architect Louis I. Kahn.
- Fort Worth Botanic Garden (4.1 miles south): 120 acres of gardens and green space.
We made the three-hour drive from Austin to Fort Worth on a Thursday afternoon in early February. Before the hotel, we stopped at the Michelin-recommended Birrieria y Taqueria Cortez for a taco and Heim BBQ for gloriously good bacon burnt ends.
Our Experience
When we arrived at the valet stand at the entrance to Hotel Drover, it was about 6 p.m. Valet parking is $43/night plus tips. Self-parking is also available for about half the price.
Inside the lobby, we were met by Hotel Drover's custom fragrance, Fire Starter (available for purchase in candle form). The check-in process at the front desk was quick and easy. The Western-themed design continues in the elevators, their interiors clad in wood with rope accents.
Room
Our third-floor Deluxe King room overlooked the hotel's entrance, with a view north toward Cowtown Coliseum. The 315 square feet felt tight once we'd laid down our luggage, but getting around wasn't an issue.
The leather furniture was attractive and masculine, and I appreciated the unique table and desk design opposite the bed. The attention to detail extended to the leather frame for the 55" TV.
Beneath the TV was the non-refrigerated part of the mini-bar, with an appetizing selection of snacks (Hu chocolate!) and drinks. I was also happy to see some of my favorite liquor brands (Bombay Sapphire Gin, Tito's Vodka, and Casamigos Tequila).
The armoire's mini-fridge has small bottles of Veuve Clicquot Champagne and William Hill Chardonnay, cans of Shiner Bock and Lone Star beers, Red Bull, and soda. The armoire also contains a coffee machine, a few complimentary bottles of water, a safe, an iron, and bathrobes.
The small but beautiful bathroom is accessible through a barn door (that's easily locked). The stone used for the sink was gorgeous, with the veins of gold matching the faucet and shower fixtures. The white-tiled shower was a pleasure to use.
The Hotel Drover provides the same Los Poblanos lavender-scented bath products I encountered at Hotel Emma in San Antonio.
The pictures of horses and spurs in the bedroom and the custom boot jack by the front door added to our room's Western charm.
The Backyard and Pool
Our road trip to Fort Worth coincided with a brief heat wave, making the whole trip more enjoyable. The Hotel Drover's Backyard is a fantastic property feature, so I'm glad I didn't miss out due to the weather.
The two-acre space doesn't look all that impressive on Google Maps; however, once I was there in person, I valued the secluded green space away from the hubbub of the Stockyards.
Here, you'll find a hot tub and curvaceous ranch-style heated pool, with plenty of chaise lounge chairs, umbrellas, and shade from a large tree. Three private cabanas can be reserved, each with a crystal chandelier and a hanging daybed.
Beyond the pool patio (which requires a guest key to enter), a path leads to more seating around three fire pits. This versatile space is used in many ways. At check-in, Hotel Drover guests are gifted custom leather luggage tags, which are branded here in the evening for those who want them.
On the weekends, the hotel hosts their Backyard Unplugged series, featuring live music on a small outdoor stage. A tiny trailer serves drinks, some of which may be free during tasting events.
The Backyard also serves as a place to gather and celebrate the holidays, with special events programmed for Easter and Christmas, among others.
Fitness Center
The Backyard is all about unwinding, but the hotel also has a well-equipped fitness center if you want to break a sweat. It’s open 24/7 and includes Peloton bikes, Lululemon mirrors, free weights, yoga mats, and cardio machines—perfect for a quick workout before hitting the Stockyards.
Hotel Bars
Speaking of bars, the Hotel Drover boasts five around the property. You're never far from a refreshing drink. The cute Lobby Bar has a copper top and four comfy white leather chairs.
The Lobby Bar provides a daily coffee service from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m., with a menu of espresso drinks, cold brew, chai and matcha lattes, assorted teas, and orange juice. Bar service begins at 11 a.m.
After we returned to the hotel from the Stockyards Championship Rodeo on Friday night, the Lobby Bar was buzzing with patrons.
We saddled up in two of the chairs, and I ordered the Texas-sized smokin' marg (tequila, lime, jalapeno, raspberries). Additional handcrafted cocktails include a Texas paper plane, lavender bee's knees, a Mule Alley mule, and the bluebonnet.
On the opposite side of the wall behind the Lobby Bar is the outdoor Veranda Bar. This spot is especially popular around happy hour. I came across the largest of the hotel's five bars in the restaurant, so let's continue our tour there.
97 West Kitchen & Bar
The hotel's rustic decor extends to 97 West Kitchen & Bar, which features an attractive open kitchen and custom black steel chandeliers.
I loved the semi-private dining spaces carved out of the main room. These five-to-eight-person tables are perfect for special occasions, family dinners, or friends dining out together.
Hotel Drover's restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday and brunch on the weekends. Dinner is served daily.
As my priority for our trip was to try more of Fort Worth's best restaurants, we left 97 West Kitchen and Bar for Sunday brunch before returning to Austin. The sweet and spicy bacon (pork belly) dripping onto jalapeno cornbread was a winner.
Other brunch dishes include buttermilk fried chicken and waffles, lobster omelet, Wagyu steak and eggs, and a giant chicken salad croissant club. Cocktail offerings include a brunch Bloody Mary, a blackberry smash, and a non-alcoholic sunrise spritz.
You might also like: Goldee's BBQ in Fort Worth
House-cut steaks are the main draw at dinner and include filet mignon, a 12-ounce Texas Akaushi New York strip, an 18-ounce bone-in ribeye, and a 36-ounce Rosewood Ranch tomahawk.
Other entrees include a black pepper bacon burger, cast iron seared redfish, Broken Arrow Ranch antelope, grilled bison, and a rack of lamb.
Texas carrot cake, whisky toffee pudding, pecan pie, and Mexican bread pudding are typical of the desserts available at 97 West Kitchen & Bar. Good luck leaving hungry!
Final Thoughts
Hotel Drover checked every box for a fun, relaxing weekend in Fort Worth. Between the warm hospitality, thoughtful design, and prime location in the Stockyards, I couldn't have asked for a better home base.
Whether you're waking up to the scent of lavender and leather or sipping cocktails by the pool, this place leaves a lasting impression. I'll be back—cowboy boots and all.
Hotel Drover
200 Mule Alley
Fort Worth, TX 76164
hoteldrover.com
