�This transition is part of our regular succession planning that we�ve been working on for some time,� Whetsell said.  �Tom has a long and distinguished career with Interstate and is the natural choice to continue to lead the company as chairman and chief executive officer.  As CEO, he has compiled an impressive record over the past four years as we have grown and diversified the company.� 

�As a founder of CapStar Hotel Company, one of our predecessor companies, Paul�s vision and entrepreneurial spirit were instrumental in the formation and growth of our company,� Hewitt noted.  �He remains a strong supporter and significant shareholder of Interstate.�

About Interstate Hotels & Resorts
Interstate Hotels & Resorts has ownership interests in 57 hotels and resorts, including seven wholly owned assets.  Together with these properties, the company and its affiliates manage a total of 225 hospitality properties with more than 46,000 rooms in 37 states, the District of Columbia, Russia, Mexico, Belgium, Canada and Ireland.  Interstate Hotels & Resorts also has contracts to manage 16 to be built hospitality properties with approximately 4,000 rooms.  For more information about Interstate Hotels & Resorts, visit the company�s Web site:  www.ihrco.com.

This press release contains �forward-looking statements,� within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, about Interstate Hotels & Resorts, including those statements regarding future operating results and the timing and composition of revenues, among others, and statements containing words such as �expects,� �believes� or �will,� which indicate that those statements are forward-looking. 

Bruce Riggins
Chief Financial Officer 
(703) 387-3344