Crystal Wise
When “home” is the second-largest growing city in the U.S., with top-grade museums, an energetic downtown scene, and a developing historic district, sightseeing in your own backyard isn’t such a bad idea. Add in a few boutique hotels where you can unwind after a day of adventure, and you’ll have all the elements of a far-off vacation, without the extensive travel time. Thanks to five new and noteworthy Fort Worth hotels and two longtime favorites in neighboring cities, Arlington and Grapevine, there’s no need to search far and wide for a unique getaway this year. Look close to home, and you’ll start to see things from a new perspective.
Crystal Wise
Hotel Otto
Last July, the neon pink “Gemelle” sign visible from White Settlement Road was joined by eight rectangular rooftop patios, which provided a little peek into Hotel Otto, Fort Worth’s first-ever micro resort. The new concept from Tim Love is nestled behind Gemelle, Love’s restaurant in the River District that’s known for its ambiance and mouthwatering Italian food.
Comprised of eight bungalows made from shipping containers, Hotel Otto (Italian for “eight”) is a mix of innovation and experience and serves as Fort Worth’s premier installment of the minimalist trend that’s sweeping the travel industry. The bungalows were designed by CargoHomes, a Waco-based company that specializes in transforming shipping containers into tiny homes that make unique, efficient living spaces.
The bungalows are sleek, bright, and airy and furnished with a queen-sized bed, smart TV, mini bar with a mini fridge, and a walk-in shower with Hermès bath amenities. It’s a charming space that feels much larger than its 160-square-foot footprint.
Crystal Wise
The hotel is only open to guests 21 and up, which makes it a great spot for a romantic kid-free getaway, girls’ trip, or refreshing solo excursion. Rooms come with a complimentary setup for making an Aperol Spritz — a favorite cocktail in Italy and Gemelle’s signature drink.
Enjoy the cocktail inside or head up a private spiral staircase to your bungalow’s rooftop deck, complete with a fire pit, Yeti cooler (which can be filled with drink requests beforehand), and a comfortable seating area ideal for kicking back and watching the sunset. Bungalows sit somewhat close together, so if you’re sitting up top, be prepared to (at the very least) wave hello to neighboring guests.
Although the bungalows are relaxing, a stay here isn’t meant to be spent indoors. The hotel’s location, situated next to the Trinity River with easy access to the trails, lends itself to adventuring. Pedego electric bikes are available to rent for $20 per hour (which includes a Bluetooth headset), or you can take it a step further by exploring via kayak or horseback.
Crystal Wise
Hotel Otto has partnered with local businesses, like Backwoods Outfitters and Stockyards Stables, to provide unique experiences for guests throughout the year. More seasonal experiences are in the works, but for now, there are options to see Fort Worth from a different perspective with kayak excursions and guided horseback rides. This year, there are also plans to add a shuttle that can take guests to popular Fort Worth destinations.
Anyone who goes exploring will want to be back by 5 p.m. when Hotel Otto guests are treated to “knocktails”: complimentary cocktails brought straight to their bungalow. As of now, cocktails rotate throughout the week, but there’s talk of developing a rolling bar cart so mixologists can whip up guests’ favorites on the spot.
A short jaunt down the gravel pathway, next to Gemelle’s patio, is a full-service plunge pool with cabanas and chase lounges. The pool (also built from a shipping container) overlooks the restaurant’s 10,000-square-foot vegetable garden and expansive bocce ball court.
4400 White Settlement Road | hotelottoftw.com
Crystal Wise
Why Staycation?
It might feel tempting to hop on a plane to bask in a spot with palm trees or even a little bit of elevation gain, but retreats don’t have to cross state lines. Here’s why you should keep your vacation money close to home.
1. Health and safety: Local knowledge gives you an advantage when it comes to safety. In addition, you’re already acutely aware of local COVID-19 protocols, which have a tendency to change based on the city you’re in.
2. Eco-friendly: A flight- or long drive-free trip greatly reduces your carbon footprint. The most earth-friendly way to travel is to keep your distances short.
3. Support local: Hey, Fort Worth people, food, things, and activities are all amazing. So, why not give a little boost to your own economy during your vacay?
4: Rediscovering your own city: While you might live in Fort Worth, we have a tendency to make the city as small as we want. And, sometimes, we make it damn near microscopic. There’s no better way to discover another side of town than doing a weekend stay.
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The Kimpton Harper
Don’t be surprised when you don’t see anyone behind the first-floor desk at the newest hotel downtown. Yes, it may be across from the elevators, but it’s not where you check in to the Kimpton Harper — that’s on the 24th floor.
When the elevator dings after a short, fast ride upward, you’ll understand why check-in is at the top of the building. The doors open to reveal a loft-style space beckoning everyone to come see a bird’s-eye view of Fort Worth. If you weren’t curious enough, a pair of binoculars sits by the window to the far left, providing a little nudge to see if you can spot the courthouse on Main Street.
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A majority of rooms — all of which are reminiscent of high-end downtown apartments — offer great views of downtown. Each room also comes equipped with a yoga mat in the closet, oh-so comfortable Frette luxury bedding, and full-size Atelier Bloem bath amenities.
After soaking in gorgeous downtown views from your on-loan studio apartment, head back upstairs, keeping an eye out for the brass flower details near the top of the elevator as you zip to the top of Fort Worth. These details are little nods to the history of the building — once the tallest west of the Mississippi — which was built in 1921.
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Guests can even admire views of Main Street while they work out in the fitness center, a whole floor dedicated to equipment like Peloton bikes, a row machine, and a stair stepper.
The bar, Refinery 714, has a fabulous whiskey list and seasonal cocktails to choose from, along with beer and wine. The downstairs restaurant, il Modo, is sure to delight guests as well. The modern Italian fare features handmade pasta that’s prepared fresh daily on display in the glass-windowed pasta-making room. The restaurant also offers breakfast daily from 6:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., with complimentary coffee for hotel guests until 10 a.m.
714 Main St. | theharperfortworth.com
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Hotel Drover
Pulling up to Hotel Drover, you may not realize that you’re driving on historic bricks. The “crown jewel of Mule Alley” has taken extreme care to integrate old with new — beginning with the bricks outside the front door.
Hotel Drover opened last March as phase two of three in the Mule Alley development, intentionally combining high-class luxury with classic cowboy motifs.
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The hotel’s name tips its hat to the cowboys who once traversed this area, specifically, the drovers who directed cattle, hogs, and sheep into the largest livestock-trading center in the Southwest. One of the first things guests see on entering the hotel: a life-size, mixed-metal statue of a drover welcoming them.
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Over 10,000 hours were spent curating artwork for Hotel Drover — not by a designer but by hotel ownership themselves. The labor of love led to an eclectic “Western Luxe” atmosphere. Guests often bypass check-in desks to admire the lobby’s décor, featuring a large living-room-style area with ample seating and a fireplace. Beyond glass-paned doors, next to shelves of cowboy hats, there’s a 500-year-old Belgian watering trough surrounded by comfortable seats outside.
Crystal Wise
The hotel’s expansive Backyard is home to the Veranda Bar, a heated pool and hot tub, and a gravel pathway that winds through the well-landscaped area. Follow it to find patio chairs surrounding gas-line fire pits and a stage where you can experience “Backyard Unplugged” on weekends.
This area of the Stockyards is bustling with new businesses like Sidesaddle Saloon, Fleastyle, and Provender Hall, soon to be joined by Melt Ice Creams and two new restaurants from chef Tim Love. There’s a lot to explore and old-time favorite activities to enjoy. But, if you’re inclined to stay in, 97 West, a delicious restaurant that serves up adventurous takes on classic American dishes resides just west of the lobby.
200 Mule Alley | hoteldrover.com
Crystal Wise
Hotel Dryce
One lobby bar, 21 down-to-earth rooms, and a whole lot of Fort Worth creativity. This is what’s in store at Hotel Dryce, a locally owned boutique hotel across from Dickies Arena in the Cultural District. The name comes from what was here before: a dry ice warehouse, waiting to be reimagined. The walls of the warehouse, kept intact, surround the hotel’s patio space.
The once-warehouse floor now boasts plants, rugs, and comfortable seating where friends can gather and enjoy a cocktail or two. There’s also a fire pit out front, which, depending on the weather, gives off heat from flames or eye-catching smoke from dry ice as an homage to the past.
Co-founders Allen Mederos and Jonathan Morris (the entrepreneur behind Fort Worth Barbershop and host of “Self-Employed” on the Magnolia Network) started off as neighbors, living a street over from one another in the Arlington Heights area, close to where their hotel now sits. In 2018, the two became business partners, playing off each other’s strengths and weaknesses to develop the boutique hotel that they believed Fort Worth needed.
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Hotel Dryce opened in August last year. The atmosphere is artistic, laid-back, friendly and fresh, much like the city it resides in. The three-story building speaks to authentic Fort Worth — it’s not a caricature of the city, “where the West begins,” but a snapshot of the creativity and community that’s at the heart of this place we call home.
Among the 21 rooms is a suite with a seating area (also featuring a bar and a vintage turntable), smaller-size “practical” rooms with a full-size bed and a foldout desk, king rooms with a comfortable king bed, king+ rooms featuring a pull-down sofa bed alongside the king bed, and king view rooms that offer views of the Cultural District and Dickies Arena. The patio courtyard, accessible from the second floor, also provides a great place to sit and enjoy views of the city.
The boutique hotel strives to be a place where locals can recognize their Fort Worth, and travelers can discover it. Just look to the photographs of locals throughout the city, featured in the lobby bar and hotel rooms. In one print, two men pose in front of an industrial building on Fort Worth’s east side. One is on foot, the other sits on his horse with an AirPod in his ear — a modern-day cowboy in Cowtown.
Crystal Wise
According to Morris, representations of cowboys of color aren’t frequently seen around town, despite the fact that they were a large part of the American West. Looking around the hotel rooms and lobby bar, it’s easy to tell that’s not the case here. Behind the front desk sits a visually stimulating textured fabric piece by Niki Dione, one of several BIPOC artists that received a grant from Art Tooth to create pieces specifically for Hotel Dryce.
Considering its location in the Cultural District, it makes sense that the hotel strives to reflect a full breadth of Fort Worth’s creativity and culture. Anyone curious about where to explore in the area can turn to the hotel’s “experience guides,” locals with tried-and-true suggestions on things to see and do.
3621 Byers Ave. | hoteldryce.com
Don’t Sleep on These Tried-and-True Options
Omni Fort Worth | 1300 Houston St. What’s become a definitive piece of Fort Worth’s skyline is the city’s only hotel to make Yelp’s list of 100 best places to stay in Texas.
Hotel Revel | 1165 8th Ave.This sleek, modern lodge is just a stone’s throw away from all the happenings on Magnolia Avenue. The hotel is also unstaffed, making it a great spot if you’d rather avoid the check-in phase.
The Worthington Renaissance | 200 Main St. A mainstay of downtown, the Worthington Renaissance is credited with igniting Sundance Square. After a recent $8 million renovation, the hotel remains a great choice for an in-town reatreat.
Three Danes Inn | 712 May St.
A cozy inn with five rooms that’s just a hop and a skip from all the happenings in the Near Southside. The Victorian-style yellow house doubles as a bakery where you can pick up some of the city’s best pastries.
Stockyards Hotel | 109 East Exchange Ave. A true Stockyards experience includes a night’s rest at the historic Stockyards Hotel, where you can sleep in the same room Bonnie and Clyde once famously occupied.
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The Sinclair
Downtown is hardly absent of beautiful, historic buildings, but few are as glamorous — and as high-tech — as the Sinclair. Built in 1929, the building became home to Sinclair Oil Company in 1932. Nearly 100 years later, after a four-year restoration, it opened in 2020 as Fort Worth’s first-ever smart hotel, combining the glamour of the past with innovation of the future.
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The building is a historic Texas landmark (marked with a medal plaque outside the gold front doors), so certain elements from the ‘30s had to stay; the grand entrance hallway is frozen in time, featuring gold accents, green marble walls, and eye-catching elevator doors. Archaic mail chutes exist on each floor, and on some levels, you’ll see faux doors from old offices.
The art deco windows in the lobby and adjacent bar are also original, reminiscent of the geometric archway above the hotel’s entrance. The lobby, now furnished with comfortable couches and sleek desks, was once a barbershop and cigar shop. Decorations subtly showcase the building’s former life: green Sinclair Gasoline oil tins, hats, and cigar box lids.
Crystal Wise
While the lobby shows its past, the Sinclair’s rooms peer into the future with high-tech features. Lights and blinds in each room are controlled by a touchpad, where you can tap options like “relax,” “g’morning,” or “romantic” to set the mood. Bathrooms boast color-changing lights and Savvy Electric Mirrors, featuring a touchscreen display you can use to browse the weather, Fort Worth activities, hotel amenities, and even play tunes from a pre-loaded music selection.
It’s not just the rooms that are technologically savvy. This is the first hotel in the world to use Power over Ethernet (POE) — it’s essentially the world’s first battery-powered hotel — which reduces energy consumption by 30% to 40%. There aren’t any traditional diesel generators, and its backup system runs on a lithium-ion battery pack that can support the hotel for several hours if an outage occurs.
Crystal Wise
The Sinclair boasts 164 rooms, but most wow-worthy is the Penthouse Suite. It spans the 15th and 16th floors, featuring 2,700 square feet of living space that includes a bedroom, bathroom, living room, kitchen, half-bath, and dining area. The staircase leading from the living room down to the bedroom is part of the original architecture, kept in place thanks to the building’s historic Texas landmark status.
Above the Penthouse sits another wow-factor: a panoramic view of Fort Worth from the 17th floor rooftop terrace, complete with a rooftop bar and eye-catching mural from local artist, Katie Murray. When the bar is open (April through October, depending on Texas weather), anyone can join in small bites, cocktails, and desserts on Fridays and Saturdays. When it’s closed, hotel guests have exclusive access to the rooftop terrace and its expansive views of the city.
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The underground steakhouse, the Wicked Butcher, has transformed what was once an office basement into a fine dining restaurant that’s open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Throughout the week, guests can also indulge at Wicked Bar, a swanky space across from the lobby that offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and in-room dining.
As time goes on, the hotel will continue to integrate advancements in technology while preserving the building’s past. This year, the Sinclair plans to introduce another futuristic first in Fort Worth: robots that will roll down its historic hallways, carrying guests’ bags from valet to their rooms.
512 Main St. | thesinclairhotel.com
Crystal Wise
The Gaylord Texan
Just northwest of Fort Worth on the edge of Lake Grapevine is the jaw-dropping Gaylord Texan Resort. When guests check in, they’re given room keys with a foldout map — a necessity given the resort’s immense size.
Lush greenery lines the Gaylord’s winding river and walkways that weave through three different atriums that pay homage to different parts of Texas. Many of the resort’s 1,814 rooms get a bird’s-eye view into these atriums, where guests can admire the extensive foliage and grand ambiance.
Crystal Wise
The resort also includes four delicious restaurant options: Zeppole (Italian-American cuisine in an elegant setting), the Riverwalk Cantina (Tex-Mex fare alongside a river with playful koi fish), Texan Station (a sports bar with an arcade and 40-plus TVs, including one of the five-largest big screens in Texas), and Old Hickory Steakhouse (a fine-dining experience with a bountiful wine selection).
Other amenities include two heated pools, a full workout center, an outdoor walking trail, a spa and salon for all your back massage needs, a little vineyard (the only vineyard in the world within a hotel), and a water park called Paradise Springs.
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The kid-friendly waterpark includes a 6,000-square-foot lagoon, walk-in beach, toddler pool, and winding lazy river. Next door is the Glass Cactus Nightclub, which has live music on the weekends and a two-story deck overlooking Lake Grapevine.
If you want to hide away, everything you need is here. However, if you want to explore, Grapevine’s Main Street is a short drive away, offering wine tastings, shopping, and historic sites. In town, you’ll also find the Botanical Gardens at Heritage Park, Founders Plaza (where you can watch the planes take off from DFW airport), and trails along Lake Grapevine.
1501 Gaylord Trail | Grapevine
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The Sanford House Inn & Spa
This hidden gem — a longstanding Arlington oasis full of elegance and charm — is tucked away on 2 acres of beautiful grounds in the heart of Arlington’s entertainment district.
The Sanford House is a short drive to AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field (on game days, a shuttle is provided for guests) and within walking distance of multiple attractions: the Arlington Museum of Art, Arlington Music Hall, and the burgeoning Urban Union District. Although it’s close to a lot of the action, the hustle and bustle fades away as soon as you walk into the main lobby in the Manor House, a traditional Southern-style home with a wraparound porch.
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According to Valerie Landry, general manager of the Sanford House, her family built the Manor House intending to create a bed-and-breakfast. Her grandparents opened the doors to their “retirement project” in 1997, much to Arlington’s delight. Shortly after, the pair came out of retirement as the B&B became a favorite place to stay.
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Now in its 25th year, the Sanford House continues to offer guests a luxurious getaway with 12 distinct rooms, fine dining at Restaurant 506, and a full-service spa across the street from the main grounds.
Rooms at the Sanford House are adorned with antiques that have been collected throughout the years. Some of the Victorian-style décor is recreated, but other pieces — like the bed in the Verona cottage — are real antiques. Rollaway beds and cribs are available on request, making an elegant stay easy for families in need of an escape.
Crystal Wise
If you’re in need of extra pampering, relax and unwind across the street at the Spa at Sanford House, a full-service, award-winning spa and salon that’s sure to elevate a relaxing staycation with massages, facials, manicures, and pedicures.
506 North Center St. | Arlington | thesanfordhouse.com
