Years ago, while working as a news media executive in Spanish-language television, I made an effort to locate Hotel California.
I found two. One abandoned in San Juan, next to the Mission Capistrano in Orange County California, and the other was located south of the border in Baja California, Mexico. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09839DpTctU
The Mexican hotel is keeping Hotel California name after Eagles settlement https://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyle/mexican-hotel-keeping-hotel-c…
Don Henley called it "our interpretation of the high life in Los Angeles," and later said, "It's not really about California; it's about America. It's about the dark underbelly of the American dream. It's about excess, it's about narcissism. It's about the music business... Check out any time you like, but you can never leave" suggest the addictive and alluring nature of fame, wealth, and indulgence, which can hold people captive.
The song reportedly tells the story of a weary traveler who arrives at a mysterious hotel called the "Hotel California." Although initially enticed by the luxurious and seductive lifestyle within the hotel, the protagonist soon realizes that leaving becomes impossible. The hotel represents a metaphorical trap or prison from which one cannot escape, symbolizing the excesses, materialism, and spiritual emptiness of the entertainment industry.
The lyrics contain various cryptic references and imagery, creating an atmosphere of mystery and intrigue. The lines "You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave" suggest the addictive and alluring nature of fame, wealth, and indulgence, which can hold people captive.
Overall, "Hotel California" is a complex and poetic song that explores themes of disillusionment, the loss of innocence, and the perils of seeking success and fulfillment in materialistic pursuits. Its enigmatic lyrics have sparked numerous interpretations and discussions among fans and critics over the years.