By Travel + Leisure’s count, there’s no better place to hang your hat in North Texas than Hotel Drover. For the second year in a row — and third overall — the Fort Worth Stockyards standout has been named the No. 1 hotel in the Dallas–Fort Worth area in Travel + Leisure’s 2025 World’s Best Awards.
The recognition is hardly a surprise to anyone who’s sipped a ranch water by the pool, wandered past the twinkle lights of the Backyard, or sunk into a saddle-leather chair beneath a ten-foot antler chandelier. But for General Manager Aaron Ide, the honor is deeply felt.
Nestled along Marine Creek in the heart of the Stockyards, Hotel Drover is more than just a place to stay — it’s a love letter to Texas heritage dressed up in reclaimed wood and high-thread-count linens. Part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, the hotel first opened its doors in 2021 and quickly became the city’s crown jewel of hospitality. Think: custom boot shines, clawfoot tubs, and a lobby that looks like Lonesome Dove collided with a luxury ranch catalog.
It’s not just the ambiance that keeps guests coming back. The hotel offers front-row access to the twice-daily cattle drive down Exchange Avenue, a rotating schedule of live music, and proximity to everything from rodeos at Cowtown Coliseum to sipping bourbon under the stars. It’s also just steps from the John Wayne Museum and some of the best brisket in the state. For visitors, it’s the ultimate Fort Worth immersion. For locals? A staycation dream.
Voters in Travel + Leisure’s annual survey ranked hotels based on rooms, location, service, food, and value. With Hotel Drover topping the DFW list in 2022, 2024, and now 2025, it’s safe to say the hotel has carved out a reputation that’s anything but a passing trend. It’s a place that captures Fort Worth’s signature mix of grit, grace, and good taste — and turns it into something worth writing home about.
“We are incredibly honored to once again be named the No. 1 hotel in Dallas–Fort Worth by Travel + Leisure readers,” Ide said in a release. “This recognition is a reflection of our passionate team and the authentic Western experiences we strive to create. It’s especially meaningful to receive this honor during the 30th anniversary of the World’s Best Awards, and we are proud to represent the vibrant spirit of Fort Worth.”
For the full 2025 World’s Best Awards list, visit travelandleisure.com/worlds-best. But if you’re already in Fort Worth, you might want to book a night, order a whiskey neat, and see for yourself what all the fuss is about.