Stories and photos by Janie Pace (unless otherwise indicated)
I love to stay at historic luxury hotels as often as I can, and Fort Worth has its fair share. Here is my list of eight great places to stay.
The New Sinclair Autograph Collection Marriott Hotel
The New Sinclair Autograph Collection Marriott Hotel downtown features high-tech innovations in its 164 guest rooms and a 2-story penthouse suite with Kohler digital showers, LG wallpaper TVs, Savvy Electric mirrors, and free wi-fi. Feast on steaks and seafood at the Wicked Butcher and indulge in cocktails and small plates at the 17th Floor Rooftop Bar.
The Lobby Bar offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner with specialty cocktails and freshly shucked oysters. Designed by Wiley G Clarkson and built by Harry B Friedman, the 16-story building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is one of Fort Worth’s most beautiful examples of Art Deco architecture.
512 Main Street
The Hilton Fort Worth
The Hilton Fort Worth, a historic landmark hotel in downtown near the Convention Center is the scene of the 35th President John F. Kennedy’s final address in the Crystal Ballroom on the morning of November 22, 1963. On the list of Historic Hotels of America, memorable photographs line the hallways and rooms of this “place in history” hotel.
Enjoy the Hilton Fort Worth’s Ruth’s Chris Steak House, the Skylight Lounge, Café Texas for breakfast and lunch, and an onsite Starbuck’s. Within walking distance to restaurants, cultural venues, and entertainment, the hotel features 294 guest rooms, and suites include the JFK Presidential Tribute Suite.
815 Main Street
The Ashton
The Ashton, on the list of Historic Hotels of America, and the National Register of Historic Places prides itself in catering to guests in a grand way, as the city’s only small luxury hotel. In its early years, the two-story 1890 Victorian structure, the Winfree Building, served as a law firm and the White Elephant Saloon, one of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’s hangouts.
The six-story 1915 Italianate-style hotel was the home of the Fort Worth Club, the essential core of community business deals and civic ties. Find 39 spacious, recently renovated guestrooms and suites, with custom furniture, signature Ashton king-size bed, separate large bath, plush robes, in-room coffee, complimentary wireless Internet access, iPod docking station, and flat TV. The hotel presents a charmingly elegant afternoon tea on the weekend.
610 Main Street.
Fort Worth Omni Hotel
Enjoy luxurious, ultra-modern glass, high-rise hotel accommodations with award-winning, personalized service at the Omni Hotel in downtown Fort Worth, across from the Convention Center. Each of the 614 guest rooms and suites features a touch of Texas décor with plush bedding, saddle blanket throws, stitched pillows, and natural linens.
For food, Bob’s Steak & Chop House specializes in the finest corn-fed, Midwestern prime beef; the Cast Iron Restaurant provides three meals a day with a Fort Worth flavor. Starbucks serves 6 am-7 pm daily. Partake in fine labeled wine paired with select cheeses at the Wine Thief.
Whiskey & Rye is the relaxing neighborhood sports bar with classic small plates with a Southern twist, oversized seating, many televisions, and complimentary billiards. Guests can relax poolside at the Water Horse Pool Bar and Grill. The award-winning Mokara Spa, named Best Massage by Fort Worth Magazine for four years in a row, will help soothe your senses.
1300 Houston Street
The Fort Worth Downtown Blackstone Hotel
At the corner of Fifth and Main Streets at 601 Main, the 203 guestroom Fort Worth Downtown Blackstone Hotel is the tallest hotel in downtown Fort Worth. Constructed in 1929, notice the Art Deco terracotta décor and setbacks on the top floors.
In its hay day, the hotel guest list included Presidents Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Richard M. Nixon. It hosted movie stars like Bob Hope, Clark Gable, and Elvis Presley.
The National Register of Historic Places added the hotel to its list on February 2, 1984. Bob Wills, the Western swing musician, recorded his first version of “San Antonio Rose” at WBAP, Fort Worth’s first radio station on the 22nd floor in the mid-1930s. Note the stairway to nowhere with a tribute to past celebrities who have visited the hotel.
601 Main Street
The Stockyards Hotel
Featured in the National Registry of Historic Places, find the Stockyards Hotel situated in the Fort Worth’s National Historic Stockyards District, three blocks from the Stockyards Station shopping area and a block from Billy Bob’s, world’s largest honky-tonk.
Plush, Old-West style rooms and suites feature modern amenities like coffeemakers, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs. Bonnie and Clyde stayed in one of the suites in 1933. Hunter Brothers H3 Ranch serves steak, ribs, rainbow trout, and chicken, Texas-style. Booger Red’s Saloon serves cocktails like its signature margarita, beer, and wine, plus breakfast and lunch. Sit at the bar on a real saddle bar stool.
109 E Exchange Avenue
The Renaissance Worthington Fort Worth Hotel
Looking like a cruise ship docked in downtown Fort Worth, the Worthington offers contemporary comfort with plush bedding, ample workspace, and iconic views of the city in Sundance Square. Suites feature large living spaces, tall windows with a balcony or terrace with city views. Dine at the new ToroToro, Chef Richard Sandoval’s Peruvian and Mexican cuisine restaurant with an inventive menu and innovative cocktails. BarWired serves Starbucks coffee and other specialty beverages and eats in an internet surfing café, bar, and lounge. The Lobby Lounge on the second floor serves tasty small plates and creative libations, a comfy spot to relax after a long day, or a meeting place for friends before a concert at the Bass Hall, comedy act, or jazz night.
200 Main Street
Aloft Fort Worth Downtown
Aloft Fort Worth, an ideal boutique hotel retreat with chic industrial décor, offers a welcoming WXYZ lobby bar with handcrafted cocktails, pool tables, and tech-forward rooms with plush platform beds, complimentary high-speed internet, and flat-panel TVs. Re:fuel by Aloft is the self-serve, tech-forward restaurant concept offering healthy gourmet grab-and-go breakfast options.
The hotel is across the street from P. F. Changs and close to other dinner choices like Reata at Sundance Square, Waters, Razzoo’s Cajun Café, Riscky’s Barbeque, or Taverna Pizzeria and Risotteria, to name a few.
334 W 3rd Street
