Exhibit 16.1 April 19, 2002 Office of the Chief Accountant Securities and Exchange Commission 450 Fifth Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20549 Dear Sir or Madam: We have read Item 4 included in the Form 8-K dated April 17, 2002 of Boykin Lodging Company to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are in agreement with the statements contained in paragraphs 2 and 3 therein. Very truly yours, /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP cc: Ms. Shereen P. Jones, Boykin Lodging Company