Crossword Genius

Dies down in a Psycho hotel (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

abates

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'dies down' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'a psycho hotel' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'a' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'bates' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for abates that I've seen before include "Calms down a" , "moderates" , "Goes down like storm" , "Diminishes" , "Grows less intense" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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