Flog city's hotel (4)
I believe the answer is:
lash
'flog' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'city's hotel' is the wordplay.
'city's' becomes 'LA's' (Los Angeles).
'hotel' becomes 'h' (phonetic alphabet: alpha, bravo, charlie etc.).
'las'+'h'='LASH'
(Other definitions for lash that I've seen before include "Flog" , "Whip with a sharp blow" , "Whip or scourge" , "Whip; attack verbally" , "Birch" .)