I think it's about fame and how once you have it you can never get rid of it. It could also be about everyday life, which in a lot of ways is like fame. Whether you're famous or not "we're all prisoners here of our own device" is a very powerful statement that almost anyone can relate to. The line "you can check out anytime you like but you can never leave" is about how no matter how much somebody wants to forget or wants die, they never can. As long as everyone knows their name and story, whether they are dead or not, they are still prisoners at the hotel California. The chorus itself, "welcome to the hotel California, such a lovely place, such a lovely face" even though it might be beautiful, fame kills you from the inside (such a lovely face).
I think it's about fame and how once you have it you can never get rid of it. It could also be about everyday life, which in a lot of ways is like fame. Whether you're famous or not "we're all prisoners here of our own device" is a very powerful statement that almost anyone can relate to. The line "you can check out anytime you like but you can never leave" is about how no matter how much somebody wants to forget or wants die, they never can. As long as everyone knows their name and story, whether they are dead or not, they are still prisoners at the hotel California. The chorus itself, "welcome to the hotel California, such a lovely place, such a lovely face" even though it might be beautiful, fame kills you from the inside (such a lovely face).