Stephen Cummings, Complex Managing Director, Loews Hotels in Arlington

In an interview with Invest:, Stephen Cummings, complex managing director at Loews Hotels in Arlington, emphasized the implementation of seamless guest experiences through integration with local attractions and future growth driven by major events like the FIFA World Cup, reinforcing the hotel’s role as a premier destination for leisure and business travelers.

With the opening of the hotel and convention center last year, what have been the main highlights and initial feedback?

Everyone has been thrilled with the addition of Loews Arlington Hotel and Convention Center. Live! by Loews – Arlington, which opened in 2019, set a strong foundation for us. Its success made it clear there was demand for another premier property, so we built Loews Arlington Hotel and Convention Center. The demand for such a facility in the entertainment district was undeniable, and it’s been well received.

How does Loews Arlington Hotel and Convention Center differentiate itself within the region?

We position ourselves as the premier choice for leisure guests who want to experience the best in sports and entertainment, as well as for convention visitors seeking top-tier amenities. Arlington, Texas, is unmatched as a destination. Where else can you find Dallas Cowboys games, Texas Rangers games, the Medal of Honor Museum, and Six Flags all within one entertainment district? The walkability of the area is a huge bonus.

What makes Arlington and North Texas the ideal location for this hotel? 

It’s all about location. Being ideally situated between Dallas and Fort Worth is a huge advantage — we’re right in the epicenter of the metroplex. Proximity to DFW Airport and Love Field is also critical, with both being major hubs for American Airlines and Southwest. Plus, having two world-class sports teams — the 2023 World Champion Texas Rangers and the Dallas Cowboys — is a huge draw. Add the upcoming Medal of Honor Museum, which opens in March, and we’re creating an even stronger destination for leisure and group travelers alike. Arlington makes sense for everyone, whether you’re coming from California or New York. It’s central, easy to get to, and packed with sports and entertainment options.

The world-class entertainment we’ve attracted over the last few years has been a major driver of Arlington’s success. AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field host some of the most famous artists in the world. These events drive hotel demand, which in turn boosts ADR (average daily rate). The more activity we have in the entertainment district, the more demand we see for hotel rooms.  Across the complex, we now have nearly 1,200 hotel rooms and 300,000 square feet of meeting space. We can cater to groups of all sizes, whether it’s a corporate meeting or fans coming to see artists like Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, or AC/DC. Arlington truly has it all.

What specific trends are shaping guest expectations? 

With organizations like the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers hosting such high-profile events here in Arlington, the demand for world-class accommodations has only grown. That’s why we built Live! by Loews – Arlington in 2019. It has 300 rooms and 35,000 square feet of meeting space. It is designed to deliver a world-class experience with top-tier amenities. As Arlington’s reputation as an entertainment hub grows, so does the demand for luxurious accommodations, which is why Loews Hotels & Co is committed to this area. We see this trend continuing as the entertainment district expands.

How are you integrating innovation into guest experiences and creating efficiencies for your teams?

At Loews Hotels & Co, we view Arlington as an immersive destination. What that means is creating seamless integration across world-class sports, entertainment, and cultural attractions — like the Medal of Honor Museum — all within the entertainment district.

We focus on collaboration between major players in the district, such as the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, and our hotels, to ensure a seamless experience for guests. For example, if you’re staying at the Loews Arlington Hotel and decide to dine at Live! by Loews – Arlington, you can cross-charge it to your room. This level of integration allows guests to move effortlessly between hotels, restaurants, and venues.

We’re also excited to welcome new residential options like One Rangers Way, which adds a luxurious living component to the district. Soon, people will be able to live, work, and play all within this entertainment hub.

How does Loews create a seamless guest experience within Arlington’s entertainment district?

If you visit the Loews Hotels in Arlington websites, you’ll see we highlight all the dining and entertainment options available in the district. We ensure that when guests are planning their stay, they’re aware of everything, from the restaurants and bars at Texas Live! to exclusive experiences in our signature restaurants, Cut & Bourbon and Farena as well as our partner restaurant and Berg Hospitality concept, Soy Cowboy, or dining options tied to major events.

When guests book with us, they can seamlessly plan their entire visit, whether it’s reserving a table at a restaurant, securing tickets for a Texas Rangers or Dallas Cowboys game, or exploring the Medal of Honor Museum.

One of the most exciting aspects is the walkability of the district. Guests can easily spend two to three days here without needing a car or rideshare. Our proximity to iconic stadiums is unmatched, and the area is entirely pedestrian-friendly, with dozens of restaurants, bars, and attractions just steps away from the hotels, and only about 20 minutes from one of the largest airports in the world.

With Arlington set to host nine matches during the FIFA World Cup next year, what impact do you expect?

Hosting nine matches is like hosting nine Super Bowls within four weeks. We just hosted the Major League Baseball World Series with the Texas Rangers, so that gave us some great preparation for an event of this scale. We’re incredibly excited for 2026. It’s shaping up to be an amazing year.

Beyond the World Cup, we’re also hosting the IndyCar Grand Prix of Arlington in the spring of 2026. And we’re hopeful to see some of the big nations play here in Dallas. Plus, we’ll host a semifinal game — hopefully featuring the United States.

How is Loews fostering a positive workplace culture to attract and retain top talent?

That’s such an important topic, and it’s something we focus on every day. Our team members are our greatest asset, without a doubt. Creating a supportive environment where they feel safe, empowered, and truly part of the business is key.

We emphasize continuous training and development so our team members have the tools they need to succeed. We also focus on promoting from within, encouraging team members to move up from entry-level roles to supervisors, from supervisors to managers, and hopefully from managers to executives.

We’ve created over 700 jobs in Arlington between the two hotels, and we work hard to make everyone feel like they’re a valued part of the organization and its decision-making processes. It’s about setting them up for long-term success and helping them grow with us.

What are the top priorities for the hotel and convention center over the next two to three years?

We’re in our second year of operation, so stabilization is a key focus, ensuring the entire entertainment district is running smoothly and ready for future growth. The business we already have on the books for 2025, 2026 and beyond has exceeded expectations. Between the FIFA World Cup, the IndyCar Grand Prix of Arlington, the Medal of Honor Museum opening, and the growing entertainment district, there’s so much momentum.

Looking further ahead — into 2027, 2028, and 2029 — we’re hopeful the district will continue to grow and succeed. If demand keeps increasing, we’ll be looking to add more hotel rooms to meet that need. That’s our goal and vision for the future.