1
                                                                    Exhibit 23.1

                            [PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LOGO]




                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statements on Form S-8 (File No. 333-88093 and No. 333-86133) of Interstate
Hotels Corporation of our report dated March 29, 2001 relating to the financial
statements of the Interstate Hotels Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan,
which appears in this Annual Report on Form 11-K.

                                               /s/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP


March 30, 2001