EXHIBIT 23.1



                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT




The Shareholders and Board of Directors
of Supertel Hospitality, Inc.:

We consent to  incorporation  by reference in the  Registration  Statement  Nos.
333-26501 and 33-80462 on Form S-8 of Supertel Hospitality,  Inc. of our report,
dated January 20, 1999, relating to the consolidated  balance sheets of Supertel
Hospitality,  Inc. and  subsidiaries  (the  Company) as of December 31, 1998 and
1997, and the related  consolidated  statements of income,  stockholders' equity
and cash flows for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31,
1998,  which report  appears in the December 31, 1998 annual report on Form 10-K
of Supertel Hospitality, Inc.


                              KPMG Peat Marwick LLP



Omaha, Nebraska
March 19, 1999