EXHIBIT 99.1

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Date:	September 20, 2005
Contact:	Red Lion Hotels Corporation
	Julie Langenheim, Investor Relations Manager
	(509) 777-6322
	InvestorRelations@RedLion.com
	or
	CCG Investor Relations
	Crocker Coulson, President
	(310) 231-8600 ext 103
	crocker.coulson@ccgir.com

Red Lion Hotels Launches New Brand Image and Outlines Growth Initiatives

New Corporate Name, New Look Reinforce Brand Revitalization

SPOKANE, WA, September 20, 2005 — WestCoast Hospitality Corporation (NYSE:WEH) today announced an aggressive growth plan to expand Red Lion Hotels into over 100 markets in the next five years. Leveraging its strength in the Western U.S. market, the initial focus will be to expand the brand into new cities in California, Arizona, Colorado, Minnesota and Texas.

To reflect its commitment to the revitalized brand and outwardly portray its new energy, the company is announcing several significant changes. First, the company has changed its corporate name to Red Lion Hotels Corporation to clearly emphasize its focus on the Red Lion brand. At the same time, it is introducing a new logo and brand image. Red Lion’s new company logo, which can be seen at www.redlion.com, is easily recognizable and reinforces the strength, vitality and aggressiveness that represent today’s Red Lion. Consistent with these changes, the company is changing its ticker symbol on the New York Stock Exchange from “WEH” to “RLH.” Red Lion Hotels Corporation will begin trading under this new ticker symbol on September 23, 2005.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors for Red Lion Hotels Corporation, Donald K. Barbieri, said “Red Lion has a rich history with travelers throughout the Western United States. Changing our corporate name and changing our ticker symbol are visible signs of our commitment to maximize Red Lion’s growth potential.”

Arthur M. Coffey, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We have spent the last several years developing our systems and infrastructure to make our business scalable and efficient. We are seeing positive results from our investment in infrastructure and the investment we are making to upgrade our facilities. This provides us with an excellent platform to capitalize on the significant brand equity that Red Lion enjoys in the marketplace. Our focus on the Red Lion brand showcases our singular direction for driving shareholder value.”

Hotel Upgrade Program is on Track and Delivering Results

The company’s successful rejuvenation of the Red Lion brand is a springboard for its expansion. Since acquiring Red Lion from Hilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE: HLT) in 2001, the company has focused its energy and attention on revitalizing the brand. Every aspect of Red Lion has been refined to accomplish a single goal — provide guests with the consistent, genuine service for which Red Lion is known. Along with its new brand image, Red Lion has elevated its product and service standards, and has introduced innovative marketing programs, state-of-the-art technology and comprehensive training tools.

In addition to its service enhancements, the company is investing over $40 million to upgrade quality and increase comfort in Red Lion Hotels. This capital improvement program is well underway and is anticipated to be completed by mid-2006. The result is a reinvigorated Red Lion brand that will serve as the foundation for the company’s growth.

Red Lion Hotels: Revitalized and Poised for Growth

“Our efforts to strengthen Red Lion Hotels are on track and producing solid results,” said Coffey. “Customers are seeing the changes and responding positively, which is clear from the consistent increases in our hotel revenue metrics quarter-over-quarter. We expect this momentum to continue as we complete the most significant capital improvement program in our corporate history. With an excellent product, a well recognized brand and world-class systems, we are now positioned to more aggressively pursue growth and partnership opportunities.”

Red Lion Hotels is initiating a growth strategy that will incorporate a mix of company owned, joint ventured and franchised hotels. In five years, the company intends to have Red Lion Hotels in 100 primary and secondary markets, including the cities of San Francisco, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Dallas, Chicago, Albuquerque, Tucson and Colorado Springs. Red Lion Hotels are currently located in approximately 50 markets.

In support of its growth initiative, Red Lion offers a franchise program that is competitive, flexible and offers the tools and support needed to drive a strong return on investment. The company will feature its franchise program at The Lodging Conference in Phoenix, Arizona from September 27, 2005 to September 30, 2005.

“We’re interested in talking with more hotel investors. Our increasing Red Lion brand visibility and network presents an excellent opportunity for hotel owners to work with a vital and growing brand that has a track record of delivering solid financial returns,” added Coffey.

About Red Lion Hotels Corporation

Red Lion Hotels Corporation is a hospitality and leisure company primarily engaged in the ownership, management, development and franchising of upper mid-scale, full service hotels under its Red Lion® brand. In addition, through its entertainment division, which includes its TicketsWest.com, Inc. subsidiary, it engages in event ticket distribution and promotes and presents a variety of entertainment productions. G&B Real Estate Services, its real estate division, engages in traditional real estate-related services, including developing, managing and brokering sales and leases of commercial and multi-unit residential properties.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities law, including statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, projections of future events or performance and underlying assumptions (many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions). The forward-looking statements in this press release are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, economic cycles; international conflicts; changes in future demand and supply for hotel rooms; competitive conditions in the lodging industry; relationships with franchisees and properties; impact of government regulations; ability to obtain financing; changes in energy, healthcare, insurance and other operating expenses; ability to sell non-core assets; ability to locate lessees for rental property and managing and leasing properties owned by third parties; dependency upon the ability and experience of executive officers and ability to retain or replace such officers as well as other matters discussed in the company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the 2004 fiscal year and in other documents filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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