Today on weekend meanderings, a look inside my travel diary from our stay at the Hotel Drover in the Fort Worth Stockyards, where elegant western style, inviting outdoor gathering spots, and amazing food and drinks made our stay unforgettable.
Happy Saturday, friends!
It’s time for the weekend post with Kim and Elizabeth, our weekly roundup of inspirations and goings on.
Hope you had a fun Halloween. There were no trick or treaters here at the pied-à-terre so we walked to one of our favorite spots downtown for a cocktail and casual dinner. I read that Halloween is one of the biggest bar nights of the year – along with Thanksgiving Eve and New Year’s Eve. Halloween is extra fun when it falls on a Friday or Saturday and our little town was hopping.
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Image: Jessica Brydson Photography
Holy moly, it’s November already and time to set the clocks back. I’m missing Snowberry even more as we enter the fall cozy season and this week I reminisced about last year’s fall table centerpiece. I can’t wait to recreate it at the little house next year.
Hotel Drover at the Ft. Worth Stockyards
Last week I shared our whirlwind weekend trip to Texas to visit niece Sammi and her family. After staying at Sam and Justin’s house over the weekend we moved to Hotel Drover at the Ft. Worth Stockyards. Sammi suggested the hotel, as did several friends who have kids attending TCU. The hotel opened in 2021 and quickly became a TCU parent favorite. I can see why. Niece Shelby also knew about it and encouraged us to check it out. We intended to be there two nights but had to return home a day early for something related to the new house. Sigh.
We arrived at the hotel for a late lunch at their 97 West Kitchen & Bar. It was Sunday and they were offering a brunch menu so of course Jim started off with a Bloody Mary. He was still sporting his TCU gear and perfecting the Horned Frog cheer.
Our plans for an early check-in were foiled so after lunch we walked around the Stockyards until our room was ready. The Stockyards is a historic district with lots of shops, bars and restaurants popular with locals and tourists. It also has a lively nightlife. Or so niece Shelby tells me. It reminded me a lot of downtown Nashville.
The streets are paved in old brick and lined with beautiful, historic buildings. We enjoyed peeking into the shops and restaurants, we did a double take at the cheeky bar below.
There are cool old trucks and big Cadillac’s with longhorns as hood ornaments around the historic area.
And beautiful old doors on some of the buildings.
Many of the shops have a western flare – obviously – lots of western wear and boot shops including a Lucchese Bootmaker on Mule Alley, the Main Street. I swooned over the most beautiful suede bag but was afraid to look at the price tag. Funny story … Jim, in a prior life, owned a pair of Lucchese boots. He likes to tell people that I made him get rid of them. Not true. But I did tease him about them.
I loved the cute fall themed seating areas. Take a load off, partner.
We got into our room just in time to change and meet up Sam and fam. I didn’t have a chance to snap photos of our room before unpacking, but I’ll share a few from the hotel’s website.
Images: Hotel Drover
The hotel opened in 2021 and has 200 guest rooms as well as event spaces. If you’re a points person, it’s part of the Bonvoy Autograph Collection. The common spaces and guest rooms lean hard into upscale western style. I feel like Ralph Lauren would be at home here.
Apparently a drover is someone who moves livestock around which makes sense as the Stockyards is a historic livestock market.
Tucked in the back of the lobby is a library corner reserved for hotel guests.
While the lobby areas are very rustic luxe there are playful, fun corners too.
The front courtyard is peaceful and relaxing.
We met up with Sam and the gang to take another stroll around the Stockyards. We wandered in and out of several shops including Lucchese, the Spice and Tea Exchange, which was wonderful and I wish I’d brought home a few of their hand-mixed tea and spice blends, and finally the kids filled up a bag of treats at the Candy Barrel to enjoy later.
Grand-nephew Beau rocking his western look. He celebrated his ninth birthday this week.
Back we went to the hotel’s 97 West Kitchen & Bar for dinner on the patio overlooking the hotel’s backyard which is a gorgeous and expansive gathering space. More on that later. We planned to celebrate all of our OND (October, November, December) birthdays. but since that included five out of eight of us we decided to celebrate everyone’s birthday so no one was left out.
97 West serves ‘contemporary Texas fare’ which means comfort food and a lot of steak. Shelby called our dinner theme steak and cake.
We lucked out with the weather all weekend. I mean, aside from rain at the TCU game, which I mentioned last week, the temps were in the low 70’s, with a little overcast and a gentle breeze. Perfection. And ideal for dining al fresco.
Shelby is honing her cocktail photography a la daughter-in-law Melody who is a master.
After all the talk of steak, Jim and Justin were the only ones who ordered it. I had chicken friend steak with mashed potatoes and gravy … omg. Sam and Shel had fish. Fish?! And the kids all had burgers.
We started out with a few appetizers including fried green tomatoes. What a beautiful presentation.
We ended dinner with birthday desserts including a huge slice of carrot cake with fireworks in the center.
A black tie wedding was happening at the hotel and from lunch through dinner I was monitoring its progress. I loved seeing the groomsmen, bridesmaids and beautifully attired guests strolling around. I snapped a photo of their cute table assignment ‘cards’ … are they little tambourines?
Before and after dinner we walked around what the hotel calls its backyard which includes the Veranda bar, many seating areas, a pool and spa, large lawn, and fire pits along with outdoor games. In the center of the backyard is a beautiful fountain and in the background you can see barstools lined up along a curved bar overlooking Marine Creek. After dark, when the overhead twinkle lights and fire pits came on, it was magic.
The girls and I fell in love with the pool area and vowed to come back for a pool day. There are cabanas adorned with crystal chandeliers, comfy porch swings as well as the usual stuff … chaise lounges, etc.
I packed this black maxi dress that I bought for our trip to Cabo in July. You’re probably sick of me saying it but I’ve gotten more wear out of this dress and it’s packs well so it’s great for travel.
Hotel Drover’s backyard is completely charming and hosts weekly live music nights which we heard are very popular in the community.
Sam and fam headed home with Shelby, who stayed the rest of the week. Jim and I grabbed a nightcap from the Veranda bar and sat down at one of the fire pits taking it all in and talking about what a wonderful weekend we had and how good it was to be with everyone.
I don’t know about you but a hotel makes or breaks my travel experience. Maybe that’s shallow or superficial. I know plenty of people who aren’t at all particular about where they stay – so long as it’s safe and clean – and view their hotel room as nothing more than a place to sleep while experiencing great adventures. For me the hotel is a key part of my overall experience and if it’s not up to snuff I’m not going to enjoy anything else. So there you have it, I’m snooty about hotels. Sue me.
What’s my point? I don’t really have one, I’m just leading into how much I loved Hotel Drover. It lived up to its fanfare and then some. In addition to the beautiful common spaces – the courtyard, lobby, backyard – and wonderful food and drinks, our guest room was so thoughtfully designed and comfortable. I slept better than I have in a long time in their luxurious bedding. I did a little snooping and their sheets are Sferra sateen. The bathrobes are soft and cozy (not all hotel bathrobes can say that) and are from Chadsworth & Haig. Speaking of great products, the bathroom is stocked with Los Pablanos lavender scented bath products. If you get hooked, the hotel sells full-size bottles. Another fun room amenity is a boot jack – which I had no idea about but Jim enlightened me.
Our only regret is not having more time to spend and take advantage of all the things to see and do – eat and drink – around the property. Sammi and Shelby wished we’d stayed another day as well so we could have enjoyed a pool day with the kids. And it would have been fun to experience the nightlife at The Stockyards. Oh well, we’ll just have to go back.
Favorite Carry-On Bag
Last week I bragged about getting all of my things into a carry-on bag with a little room to spare. I realize that packing for a long weekend in a carry-on is not really a flex … but I’m a little challenged. Niece Shelby’s birthday is next week and we gifted her the same carry-on bag, packing cube set, and luggage tags that I love. She chose black (I have dark green). I placed the order last Sunday and she got it Wednesday. Can’t beat that.
Odds & Socks ~
- 27 days to Thanksgiving and this is my annual reminder to get yourself a copy of Gobble: The Quintessential Thanksgiving Playbook. Written by Nadine Isacs and her sons Christopher and PK – aka favorite blogger Preppy Empty Nesters sista and nephews – it’s the happiest, most joyful Thanksgiving (or any holiday) cookbook ever, full inspired ideas for creating memorable and stress free (ha!) holiday gatherings.
- Would you hire a pumpkin stylist? Ummm … yes!
- Saltyface, the best facial self-tanner imho, introduced new mister-included packaging. Yay. Otherwise same formula.
Current Favorites ~
That’s what I have for you today. Last week I shared for the first part of our whirlwind Texas trip and you can find that here.
Wishing you the best weekend and don’t forget to turn the clocks back.
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