Hotel Drover lobby. Rendering by Celano Design Studio.
Construction on the Fort Worth Stockyards' anticipated Hotel Drover is nearing the finish line.
The hotel announced Wednesday that it's set for an early 2021 opening, training staff on CDC guidelines (should COVID-19 still be an issue then), with plans to check staff temperatures daily and follow other protocols to ensure guests' safety.
Hotel Drover, part of Marriott's Autograph Collection, fronts Marine Creek at 200 Mule Alley Drive. Along with 200 rooms and suites, the hotel will also offer a pool, flagstone courtyards, water features, fire pits, a music stage, and outdoor games.
The hotel also boasts 12,000 square feet of meeting space, including an Event Barn and Legacy Hall, which features private balconies that overlook Marine Creek and Mule Alley.
Event barn. Rendering by Celano Design Studio.
According to a news release, Hotel Drover takes inspiration from the drovers who moved cattle to market along the Chisholm Trail in the late 1800s — Fort Worth was one of the stops along their journey. As business boomed, the Fort Worth Stockyards and Swift and Armour meatpacking plants became known as the Wall Street of the West in the early 1900s.
“Our goal is simple — Hotel Drover pays homage to the Stockyards’ National Historic District in Fort Worth and harnesses the true spirit of the drover to create a new legacy for the Stockyards,” General Manager Kristin Assad said in a statement. “Hotel Drover is so much more than just a place to rest your head at the end of the day. We are building a place where simple pleasures and one-of-a-kind experiences blend effortlessly to become special memories. From sunset strolls on horseback to whiskey tastings and s'mores kits, we have special touches for everyone during their stay.”
Restaurant at Hotel Drover. Rendering by Celano Design Studio.
Hotel Drover serves as the anchor of Mule Alley, which is also home to restaurants Provender Hall, Shake Shack, and The Biscuit Bar; Cowtown Winery; shops Lucchese and MB Mercantile & Supply; and the offices of the American Paint Horse Association and Simpli.fi.
More restaurants and retail are expected to open in the near future, including King Ranch Saddle Shop, Proper Supply Co. (which sells Stetson premier products), Second Rodeo Brewing Co., Sidesaddle Saloon, and Wrangler.
