
Much of Hotel California's tone and subject material reflected founding member and lead singer Don Henley’s commentary on “success (and excesses it can breed), love lost, and just how strange life in California can be.” As a result of this, Mr. Henley wanted to find and portray the Hotel California that he brought to life in the album’s cover track. And he wanted to do so with a slightly sinister edge. So a variety of photos were presented to him, and the shot of The Beverly Hills Hotel against the golden sunset was his favorite.