1
                                                                  Exhibit 23.1

COOPERS
& LYBRAND


                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of
Interstate Hotels Company on Form S-8 (1996 Equity Incentive Plan) of our report
on the Consolidated Financial Statements of Interstate Hotels Company as of
December 31, 1995 and 1996, and the related statements of operations,
shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 1996, which report is included in the Company's Annual Report
on Form 10-K.


                                                /s/ Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
June 18, 1997