Want to get away without leaving town? Head to a hotel pool bar. Many local hotels are summer staycation-worthy spots with pool decks that boast resort-style vibes. While some require overnight stays, others now welcome non-hotel guests thanks to services like Resort Pass. Here are seven top Fort Worth-area hotel pool bars boasting tiki drinks, island fare, cantina cocktails, and plenty of summer fun in the sun.
Tiki Social at Omni Fort Worth Hotel
The Omni Fort Worth Hotel has transformed its Water Horse Pool Bar into Tiki Social, an immersive experience that whisks guests away on a beach vacation in the middle of land-locked downtown. The summer-long pop-up – on through Labor Day weekend – is a collaboration between the Omni hotel brand and renowned restauranteur Jeff “Beachbum” Berry, owner of Latitude 29 in New Orleans. Berry helped create a menu of tiki cocktails including The Coconutty Islander made with Myer’s Rum served in a fresh coconut cut open to order; the Mai Tai Have Another made with gold and dark rums, and The Tropical Tease featuring tequila, mezcal, lemon, pineapple, and crème de cacao. Pair with bites like sugar can shrimp skewers and pork bao buns. Tiki Social is open to hotel guests, as well as day pass holders through Resort Pass ($35, unavailable on Saturdays). Overnight rates start at $166. (Note that the tiki bar pop-up is also running at the Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa and the Omni Las Colinas.)
The Pool Terrace at Bowie House
Aqua Mahj, anyone? The luxe Bowie House hotel resort offers poolside mahjong play at its rooftop pool, along with an expansive sun deck, outdoor bar and restaurant, and private cabanas. The Bowie House pool is home to Whinny’s, serving up froses and frozen margaritas along with chic cocktails like the Shiso Fine, made with gin, mint, cucumber, and the Japanese shiso. Or sip on a Ready to Rum made with coconut rum, Topo Chico, lime, and Aperol; or a John Daly made with sweet tea vodka, black tea, and lemon. Light summer bites range from watermelon tabbouleh to chilled oysters with pomegranate lime granita. Open to hotel guests and day pass holders through Resort Pass ($75, Monday through Thursday, valet included). Overnight rates start at $322.
The Veranda Bar at Hotel Drover
This poolside paradise in the Stockyards is worth a night’s stay for its stunning shade trees, comfortable lounge seating, and prompt food and beverage service – all with a touch of Western glam. While the pool is open only to hotel guests, the public can enjoy cocktails from the adjacent, outdoor Veranda Bar, along with live music on Friday and Saturday nights through the summer. Drinks that fit the cowboy vibe include the Cowboy Colada shaken with bourbon whiskey, coconut cream, and pineapple juice, or the Coastal Cowgirl, made with tequila, lychee syrup, coconut puree, and hibiscus syrup. Shareable snacks range from colorful fruit platters to parmesan truffle fries. Overnight rates start at $381. Book the Midweek Cabana Retreat Monday through Thursday through September 30 and relax poolside with a special cabana rate on the day of arrival and more special perks.
Hotel Otto
The micro-resort in Fort Worth's River District, featuring eight chic shipping container bungalows, boasts a plunge pool with cabanas and chaise lounges alongside a bocce ball court and Aperol spritz bar. Connected to chef Tim Love’s Italian destination, Gemelle, and steps away from his newest concept, Stewart’s Croquet & Cocktails, the Hotel Otto pool is now open to day pass holders via Resort Pass. Rates start at $25. Note that there’s a $40 food and beverage minimum Monday through Thursday, and $60 minimum Friday through Sunday. Overnight rates start at $99.
Tomar El Sol at Loews Arlington Hotel & Soak at Live! By Loews
Guests of Loews Arlington Hotel and Live! By Loews have access to all resort pools and amenities across both complexes, which sit side by side next to AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field.
At Loews Arlington Hotel, there are two expansive pool decks (an upper and lower deck), offering cabanas, a sandy beach, towel service, lifeguards, and lunch and dinner service. Tomar El Sol is the hotel’s poolside cantina serving Tex-Mex bites, tequila, and frozen cocktails under a chic tiki hut boasting plush chairs and sun loungers. Signature cocktails include the Matheson, made with Don Julio Blanco, green and red chili, and agave syrup; and the Cocoplum, made with Bulleit Bourbon, tea, apricot, and lemon.
Soak is the Live! By Loews pool bar, a place where hotel guests can soak up some luxury on the patio, a daybed, a lounger, or at the swim-up bar. Poolside snacks include corn and watermelon salad, ahi tuna tacos, and s’mores cheesecake pops. Mai tais, hurricanes, margaritas, and summer spritzes round out the drinks. Overnight rates start at $249.
Paradise Spring at Gaylord Texan
Not just for kids, this 10-acre hotel waterpark at the massive Grapevine resort is also fun for adults thanks to private poolside cabanas and loungers, a 600-foot winding lazy river, and a full-service pool bar and grill. Summertime dishes and drinks include fish tacos, Wagyu Kobe beef hot dogs, frozen margaritas, and poolside punch. Paradise Springs is open to hotel guests and day pass holders through Resort Pass, with rates starting at $50. Overnight rates start at $360.
