�We continue to move projects forward despite the current economic down cycle,� said Thomas F. Hewitt, chairman and chief executive officer, Interstate.  �The TownePlace Suites Bethlehem/Easton marks the third management contract we have signed with the Joshi family, including the Hilton Garden Inn-Allentown Airport and the Staybridge Suites-Allentown Airport.  The greater Bethlehem/Easton/Allentown area is the third largest metro region in the state, and we look forward to helping this property quickly reach its full operating potential.�

Located at 3800 Easton/Nazareth Highway, within minutes of historic downtown Easton, the extended-stay TownePlace Suites Bethlehem/Easton is convenient to the major attractions in the Lehigh Valley, including Dorney Park & Wild Water Kingdom, the Crayola Factory, and Blue Mt. Ski Resort.  Guestrooms offer 37-inch flat screen TVs, free high-speed wired and wireless Internet access, fully-equipped kitchens and a home office area.  The property features a 24-hour business center, indoor pool and whirlpool, and fitness center.  In addition, the four-story hotel provides a complimentary deluxe continental breakfast. 

About Interstate Hotels & Resorts
Interstate Hotels & Resorts has ownership interests in 56 hotels and resorts, including seven wholly owned assets.  Together with these properties, the company and its affiliates manage a total of 223 hospitality properties with more than 45,500 rooms in 37 states, the District of Columbia, Russia, Mexico, Belgium, Canada and Ireland.  Interstate Hotels & Resorts also has contracts to manage 14 to be built hospitality properties with approximately 3,400 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.  Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially, including the volatility of the national economy, economic conditions generally and the hotel and real estate markets specifically, the war in Iraq, international and geopolitical difficulties or health concerns, governmental actions, legislative and regulatory changes, availability of debt and equity capital, interest rates, competition, weather conditions or natural disasters, supply and demand for lodging facilities in our current and proposed market areas, and the company�s ability to manage integration and growth.  Additional risks are discussed in Interstate Hotels & Resorts� filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Interstate Hotels & Resorts� annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.