Travel: Lasso Your Way to Hotel Drover- An Urban Ranch Oasis in the Fort Worth Stockyards
Hotel Drover fits the Fort Worth Stockyards like a belt buckle on a pair of Wranglers. And just like the cowboy’s painted-on jeans, everything about Hotel Drover looks and feels good!
Hotel Drover is an Autograph Collection Hotel on Mule Alley in Fort Worth, TX. A century ago, mule barns occupied the space of what’s now award-winning “Mule Alley.” On this road, tourists can expect a charming collection of restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues- all which hit the mark of both hip and rustic. None do this better than the anchor of the legendary street, Hotel Drover. The rich history and lure of Texas touch every aspect of this hotel. The DROVER sign at the hotel’s entrance lights up at night like a neon moon. Like the Brooks and Dunn song says, I’d like to spend “most every night beneath the light of a neon moon.” Here’s why.
Hotel Drover is an urban ranch oasis, embodying a hacienda modern rustic-luxurious design throughout. Artwork is sourced from several famed studios, but all has a consistent “spirit of the west” theme. You’ll find a cattle drover, constructed out of bronze and steel by John Lopez Studio, in the lobby. There’s a cowgirl with a neon lasso in the business center, sourced from Austin’s famed Evan Voyles. You’ll see plenty of John Wayne images (and can see much more at the just-opened John Wayne Museum up the road). Some of the artwork’s verbiage will have you grinning, like the leather-bound “GIVE ‘EM HELL” sign in the fitness center.
The public spaces, guest rooms, event space, retail, and restaurant all have a consistent western lux design, although each space has its own spirit. Lumber used for some of the rafters and floors was repurposed wood sourced from barns. The lobby has leather and cowhide lounge chairs, a library filled with Texas books, and handcrafted antler and steel chandeliers. Private dining chairs in 97 West Kitchen & Bar have Texas-inspired artwork, carefully curated and constructed by Rios Interiors in The Stockyards.
The sprawling “backyard” is the cornerstone of the hotel. The ranch-style heated pool has three private cabanas (first come, first serve) with hanging daybeds swinging from the pergola and crystal chandeliers. Also, guests can enjoy soaking in the hot tub, sitting by one of the mature trees and watching the Marine Creek flow, three fire pits, bar seating, yard games, and a fountain reminiscent of the intro of the television show, FRIENDS. Live music is offered on the outdoor stage, The Backyard Unplugged, Thursday through Sunday evenings.
One stay will never be enough at Hotel Drover, because each of the 200 guest rooms has its own unique hand-crafted design and accents. No two rooms are the same! Here are the types of rooms, although you can expect different wall coverings and decor in each respective room.
Texana: authentic western charm with a modern twist
Frontier: untamed spirit of the west, bright and colorful
Republic: refined luxury of Texas; an elevated atmosphere that is both classic and modern
Bunkhouse: playful but posh bunk suite with king bed and double overhead bunk (sleeps up to 4)
Lucchese: features the finest handmade western contemporary design (partnership with Lucchese)
King Ranch: old favorites and timeless atmosphere inspired by the grand history of the King Ranch
Hotel Drover has plenty of amenities with the whole family in mind- including Fido. 84 of the guest rooms are connecting rooms. Lil’ Ropers Kids program offers fun activities for children, including a super-fun scavenger hunt and custom tables and chairs in 97 West Kitchen & Bar, just their size. “Happy Tails” is Hotel Drover’s pet program. It includes a custom dog bed, water and food bowl, and HD-branded bandana and leather leash, and a goodie bag filled with treats.
Fort Worth is positioned on the 97-degree west meridian, and it became a beacon for adventurous souls seeking freedom and opportunity in the Wild West. That history-meets-geography lesson is where the hotel’s restaurant, 97 West Kitchen and Bar, gets its namesake. 97 West Kitchen and Bar is so much more than just a restaurant in a hotel. Most of us have come to expect hotel restaurants to be so-so food for so, so expensive. 97 West Kitchen and Bar is a destination, in and of itself. Guests travel to Hotel Drover, specifically to dine at Executive Chef Grant Morgan’s creation.
Hotel Drover is the only place in the world that you will find an exclusive custom-made Lucchese boot shop. There’s another Lucchese storefront a stone’s throw up the road that offers clothing, accessories, and boots, but the destination inside Hotel Drover is your stop for creating a custom boot. Lucchese has been handcrafting boots since 1883. They’re the gold standard in cowboy boots and have designed handcrafted boots for John Wayne, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and next- maybe you! A custom Lucchese boot starts at $1,800.
Hotel Drover offers over 40K square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space. With its western charm and Texas ambiance, brides and grooms in the Lone Star State should move this place to the tippy top of your list of wedding venues. There’s The Barn, beaming with rustic charm, 30-foot vaulted ceilings, and the most stunning Italian chandeliers that contrast the beautifully reclaimed barn timber. The Barn accommodates up to 400 guests. Legacy Hall is an elegant and tasteful detailed space with an adjacent outdoor veranda that overlooks Mule Alley. It accommodates up to 240 guests. If you’re not looking to tie the knot, but more interested in tying up business with panache, The Drover Boardroom (executive boardroom, accomodates 12), Vaquero Room (divisible meeting space, accommodates up to 120), or Ranchero Room (flexible meeting room, seats up to 50) may be right up your Mule alley.
Whether you’re looking for a luxurious place to hang your hat after a Billy Bob’s concert (where you just may bump into the headliner), a comfortable bed with the most amazing shower or oversized bronze soaking tub, an epic destination for a wedding or corporate event, or just a hacienda to relax with the whole family, Hotel Drover is the place for you.
Should you choose to visit over the holidays, you'll be among the first to experience Kris Kringle's snow-dusted boots at The Drover.
On Sunday, Hotel Drover kicked off its first annual 12 Days Of Christmas. It runs through Friday, December 24, 2021. Overnight guests will feel at ho ho home in a wintry wonderland of joy and delight.
The whole family can enjoy Christmas carolers and visits from Santa Claus. Kiddos can take complimentary pictures with Santa while parents indulge in festive holiday cocktails like The Drunken Snowman, Giddy Up Gin, and Buckin’ Bourbon.
Let the magic of Christmas come alive with real reindeer (on site during evening hours).
Guests can sprinkle a bit of Christmas in their suite this season with the Cowboy Christmas Holiday Add-On. When requested in advance, travelers can receive various holiday décor including Christmas trees, holiday garland, lights, and ribbons. Those interested should email concierge@hoteldrover.com.
Hotel Drover is located at 200 Mule Alley Drive, Fort Worth, Texas 76164. Reservations may be made at 817-755-5557 or www.hoteldrover.com.
Special thanks to J Public Relations.