Crossword Genius

Cramped hotel with some current difficulties at first (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hampered

'cramped' is the definition.
('hamper' can be a synonym of 'cramp')

'hotel with some current difficulties at first' is the wordplay.
'hotel' becomes 'h' (phonetic alphabet: alpha, bravo, charlie etc.).
'with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'some current' becomes 'ampere' (unit for electrical current).
'at first' suggests taking the first letters.
The initial letter of 'difficulties' is 'd'.
'h'+'ampere'+'d'='HAMPERED'

(Other definitions for hampered that I've seen before include "Impeded" , "Frustrated" , "Hindered, cramped" , "Prevented free movement, restricted" , "Blocked" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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