Hotel Drover Celebrates Five Fabulous Years in the Fort Worth Stockyards

This Year Will Be Filled With Celebrations, Collaborations, and Multi-Million Dollar Resort Enhancements

Hotel Drover - The Backyard will get expanding lounge seating this summer
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Fort Worth Digital Diary gives you a locally sourced lay of the land
Hotel Drover - The Backyard will get expanding lounge seating this summer
1Hotel Drover - The Backyard will get expanding lounge seating this summer
2Hotel Drover - Lobby and library with a view to the The Backyard
3The lobby bar has become a Stockyards see and be seen draw
4Hotel Drover gives guests and tourists a true taste of Texas luxury
5Hotel Drover will upgrade it season decor this winter
Hotel Drover Celebrates Five Fabulous Years in the Fort Worth Stockyards
Hotel Drover - The Backyard will get expanding lounge seating this summer.

Hotel Drover - The Backyard will get expanding lounge seating this summer.

Source:
Fort Worth Digital Diary gives you a locally sourced lay of the land
Hotel Drover - Lobby and library with a view to the The Backyard
Hotel Drover Celebrates Five Fabulous Years in the Fort Worth Stockyards
Hotel Drover - Lobby and library with a view to the The Backyard.

Hotel Drover - Lobby and library with a view to the The Backyard.

Source:
Fort Worth Digital Diary gives you a locally sourced lay of the land
The lobby bar has become a Stockyards see and be seen draw
Hotel Drover Celebrates Five Fabulous Years in the Fort Worth Stockyards
The lobby bar has become a Stockyards see and be seen draw.

The lobby bar has become a Stockyards see and be seen draw.

Source:
Fort Worth Digital Diary gives you a locally sourced lay of the land
Hotel Drover gives guests and tourists a true taste of Texas luxury
Hotel Drover Celebrates Five Fabulous Years in the Fort Worth Stockyards
Hotel Drover gives guests and tourists a true taste of Texas luxury.

Hotel Drover gives guests and tourists a true taste of Texas luxury.

Source:
Fort Worth Digital Diary gives you a locally sourced lay of the land
Hotel Drover will upgrade it season decor this winter
Hotel Drover Celebrates Five Fabulous Years in the Fort Worth Stockyards
Hotel Drover will upgrade it season decor this winter as well. (Photo by Kathy Tran)

Hotel Drover will upgrade it season decor this winter as well. (Photo by Kathy Tran)

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The Stockyards has transformed since Hotel Drover opened its doors in 2021. The Hotel instantly became the hub of Mule Alley as well as a very stylish welcome mat. The resort helped grow the Fort Worth Stockyards into one of the leading attractions in the state, increasing annual visitors from 3 million to more than 10 million. It’s been a legendary five years, and Hotel Drover plans to celebrate all year long.

Hotel Drover is an award-winning Autograph Collection hotel and resort. Its debut “has served as a catalyst for a buzzy boutique hotel scene in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area, which now boasts the largest hospitality pipeline in the nation,” according to a release.

To mark its first five years, “Hotel Drover is launching a commemorative anniversary webpage alongside a yearlong series of guest experiences, exclusive collaborations, and resort enhancements.”

“From the early vision that sparked the resort’s creation to the star-studded premieres that have defined its first five years, the site offers a look back at the moments that shaped the property.”

Hotel Drover Reflects on Its First Fabulous Five Years

Hotel Drover - Lobby and library with a view to the The Backyard
Hotel Drover – Lobby and library with a view to the The Backyard.

Recognized for its luxury and hospitality, Hotel Drover has set a high bar in Fort Worth hospitality.

At the inaugural Michelin Key Awards in 2024, two Fort Worth hotels received a one-key ranking by the Michelin Guide. They were Hotel Drover, Autograph Collection, and The Kimpton Harper in downtown Fort Worth. Hotel Drover retained its One Key award on the 2025 list. And Travel + Leisure has named it the No. 1 Best Hotel in Dallas-Fort Worth for three consecutive years (in 2023, 2024, and 2025) in its World’s Best Awards.

Likewise, the resort’s signature restaurant, 97 West Kitchen & Bar, landed a spot on Kayak and OpenTable’s 2025 list of the Top 100 Hotel Restaurants in America.

“When we broke ground in 2018, we promised to build more than just a hotel,” says Kristin Assad, Chief Operating Officer, Stockyards Heritage Development Co. “Seeing Hotel Drover reach this five-year milestone as a global destination proves that the spirit of the West is as vibrant today as it was a century ago.”

Elevating the Resort Experience

Hotel Drover gives guests and tourists a true taste of Texas luxury
Hotel Drover gives guests and tourists a true taste of Texas luxury.

As part of its milestone year, Hotel Drover and 97 West Kitchen & Bar are making a major investment in the future. A multi-million dollar project will add to the resort’s enhancements. It’s all “designed to elevate the guest experience.”

This summer, the resort will “unveil an expanded version of Pour Horse, the beloved vintage horse trailer-turned-bar,” they say. “Inspired by retro Western charm, the bar will continue pouring handcrafted cocktails and refreshing beverages, specifically for the return of the popular Backyard Unplugged live music series starting Memorial Day Weekend.”

When the weather is perfect, there is no better place to hang your hat in The Stockyards than the lush Backyard. So, new lounge-style seating will be added to the scene soon, as 97 West Kitchen & Bar expands its outdoor patio capacity.

“The 97 West patio will evolve to include a sophisticated new structure featuring year-round temperature control, allowing guests to enjoy the outdoor dining experience comfortably in every season.”

Celebrations, Collaborations, and Upgrades Still to Come

Hotel Drover will upgrade it season decor this winter
Hotel Drover will upgrade it season decor this winter as well. (Photo by Kathy Tran)

This summer, look for a commemorative red leather luggage tag to arrive. Then, a series of limited-edition collections will debut in the fall. These collaborations will be with respected brands that honor Western craftsmanship and spirit. And, by the holidays, Hotel Drover will enhance its holiday décor with a seasonal refresh across the resort.

“In just five years, Hotel Drover has become a definitive Fort Worth destination,” says Aaron Ide, General Manager. “We’re incredibly proud of the culture we’ve built and the experiences we share with our guests every day. These first five years are just the beginning of the legacy we’re building for the future.”

The resort’s true legacy is only just beginning. As the property looks toward the next five years, it will continue blending Western heritage with modern luxury.