Exhibit 16.1 Office of the Chief Accountant SECPS Letter File Securities and Exchange Commission Mail Stop 11-3 450 Fifth Street, NW Washington, DC 20549 June 24, 2002 Dear Sir/Madam: We have read the statements made in the first and second paragraphs of Item 4, to be included in the Form 8-K filed by John Q. Hammons Hotels, Inc. dated June 24, 2002, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are in agreement with the statements contained therein. Very truly yours, /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP Copy to: Paul Muellner Chief Financial Officer John Q. Hammons Hotels, Inc.