
Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center
Best for families and on-site recreation — water park, indoor lap pool, multiple dining outlets and a full-service spa.
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Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center is a large, lakefront resort in Grapevine with multiple pools, a seasonal water park, extensive meeting space and on-site spa—good for families, groups, and event planners. The Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel is an established, upscale downtown Fort Worth hotel (Marriott/Renaissance) offering central access to Sundance Square and the convention center—good for business and culture-focused travelers.
Updated · about 30 km apart

Best for families and on-site recreation — water park, indoor lap pool, multiple dining outlets and a full-service spa.

Best for downtown access and walkable culture — close to Sundance Square, Bass Performance Hall and Fort Worth Convention Center.
When Gaylord Texan wins: choose Gaylord Texan if you want a self-contained resort experience with year-round indoor pools, a seasonal Paradise Springs Water Park, a full-service Relâche Spa & Salon, and large meeting or event capacities. It’s the clearer pick for families and groups who plan to spend most time on property.
When The Worthington wins: choose The Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel if you need a downtown location within walking distance of theatres, restaurants and the convention center, or if you prefer a familiar Marriott/Renaissance experience for business or cultural visits to Fort Worth.
Bottom line: Gaylord Texan is a destination resort built around lakefront amenities and large-scale events; The Worthington is a conventional upscale downtown hotel focused on location and walkability. Pick based on whether you want a resort campus or downtown access.
| Category | Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center | The Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Large, self-contained resort campus with indoor atriums and lakefront grounds | Upscale, established downtown hotel focused on walkable access to Fort Worth sights |
| Location | Grapevine on Lake Grapevine, minutes from DFW Airport | 200 Main St, downtown Fort Worth, steps from Sundance Square |
| Size (guest rooms) | About 1,814 guest rooms (sources vary) | 504 guestrooms |
| Built / style | Opened 2004; resort-style with indoor garden atriums and winding waterways | Established downtown Renaissance property; traditional hotel layout |
| Pools & water features | Year-round indoor 20m lap pool plus seasonal 10-acre Paradise Springs Water Park and outdoor pools | Indoor pool (1); no on-site seasonal water park listed |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple outlets (Old Hickory Steakhouse, Zeppole, Riverwalk Cantina, Texan Station, poolside dining, cafés and bars) | Two restaurants, a bar/lounge and a coffee shop/cafe |
| Spa & wellness | Relâche Spa & Salon — 25,000 sq ft, 12 treatment rooms and two spa suites | Not published |
| Meeting & event space | Massive convention center and meeting footprint (hundreds of thousands sq ft; Longhorn Exhibition Hall, multiple ballrooms and 87 meeting rooms) | Conference center with 19 meeting rooms and ~1,400 sq ft of conference space (as listed) |
| Family friendliness | Family-oriented — children welcome; kids up to 12 stay free (existing beds); water park access for overnight guests | Welcomes guests of all ages (not adults-only) |
| Airport access | About 6 miles / 10–15 minute drive to DFW Airport (no complimentary shuttle) | Preferred airport DFW (approx. 23.8 mi / 38.3 km listed to DFW in supplier listing) |
Gaylord Texan sits on the southern shore of Lake Grapevine, a short drive from DFW Airport.
Choose Gaylord Texan when proximity to the lake, airport convenience and on-site activities matter more than walkable urban access.
The Worthington is in downtown Fort Worth, steps from Sundance Square and cultural venues.
Pick The Worthington if you want to be in the middle of downtown Fort Worth and within walking distance of theaters and restaurants.
Gaylord Texan offers a broad mix of standard rooms and suites across a large resort footprint.
Gaylord Texan provides a wide range of room types for families and groups; expect resort-style room views and larger inventory.
The Worthington presents traditional downtown hotel room options and several balcony/terrace suites.
The Worthington’s rooms suit business and leisure stays where a compact downtown room with some balcony suites is sufficient.
Gaylord Texan provides many on-site dining choices covering steaks, Italian, Tex‑Mex, sports bar and poolside options.
If you want many dining formats without leaving property, Gaylord Texan has strong on-site variety.
The Worthington lists two restaurants, a bar/lounge and a coffee shop/cafe—enough for basics, with downtown dining steps away.
The Worthington covers essential on-site dining but the main advantage is easy access to downtown Fort Worth restaurants.
Gaylord Texan’s signature water offerings are central to its appeal: a seasonal outdoor water park plus year‑round indoor swimming.
For pool-centric stays and family water fun, Gaylord Texan is the stronger choice.
The Worthington lists an indoor pool among its recreational amenities.
The Worthington has basic pool facilities but not the resort-scale water amenities you’ll find at Gaylord Texan.
Gaylord Texan pairs a large spa and 24-hour fitness center with an on-site nightlife venue.
Choose Gaylord Texan if a full-service spa and resort nightlife are part of your plan.
The Worthington focuses on downtown evening options—hotel bar/lounge plus easy walking access to Fort Worth nightlife.
The Worthington is better if you plan to go out to downtown venues; it does not publish a comparable full-service spa.

Gaylord Texan — seasonal Paradise Springs Water Park, family suites and lots of on-site activities.

Gaylord Texan — extensive convention and ballroom space, including Longhorn Exhibition Hall and multiple large ballrooms.

The Worthington — steps from Sundance Square, theaters and downtown restaurants.

The Worthington — established downtown Marriott/Renaissance option with convention-center proximity and multiple meeting rooms.
Gaylord Texan — it has a seasonal water park reserved for overnight guests, family suites and many on-site activities aimed at kids.
The Worthington is within walking distance of the Fort Worth Convention Center. Gaylord Texan has much larger meeting space on site but is in Grapevine (a drive from downtown Fort Worth).
Gaylord Texan has Relâche Spa & Salon (25,000 sq ft). A spa is not published in the supplier listing for The Worthington.
Yes. Gaylord Texan explicitly markets as family-friendly; The Worthington welcomes guests of all ages (it is not adults-only).
Explore how Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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