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 (Management Bonus 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