1
 
                                                                    Exhibit 23.1
 
                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
   
     We consent to the inclusion in this Amendment No. 3 to the Registration
Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-03958) of our report on the Balance
Sheet of Interstate Hotels Company as of April 23, 1996, dated April 23, 1996;
the Combined Financial Statements of Interstate Hotels Corporation and
Affiliates as of December 31, 1994 and 1995 and for the three years ended
December 31, 1995, dated April 10, 1996, except for the third paragraph of Note
9, which is dated April 22, 1996; the Combined Financial Statements of
Interstone I Property Partnerships and Predecessor Entities as of December 31,
1994 and 1995 and for the three years ended December 31, 1995, dated April 10,
1996; the Combined Financial Statements of Interstone/CGL Partners, L.P. and
Predecessor Entity as of December 31, 1994, December 14, 1995 and December 31,
1995 and for the years ended December 31, 1993 and 1994, for the period from
January 1, 1995 to December 14, 1995 and for the period from December 15, 1995
to December 31, 1995 dated April 10, 1996; and the Financial Statements of
Boston Marriott Westborough Hotel as of December 31, 1994 and 1995 and for the
three years ended December 31, 1995, dated May 2, 1996. We also consent to the
reference to our firm under the caption "Experts".
    
 
                                                    /s/ COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
Pittsburgh, PA
   
June 18, 1996