EXHIBIT 23.1 HOST MARRIOTT CORPORATION CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation of our reports included in this Form 10-K into the Company's previously filed Registration Statement File Nos. 333-31352, 333-93157, 333-78091, 33-66622, 333-75055, 333-28683, 333-75057, 333-75059 and 333-67907. Arthur Andersen LLP Vienna, VA March 8, 2000