It is associated with hotel buffet (3)
I believe the answer is:
hit
'buffet' is the definition.
(I know this)
'it is associated with hotel' is the wordplay.
'is associated with' says to put letters next to each other.
'hotel' becomes 'h' (phonetic alphabet: alpha, bravo, charlie etc.).
'it' after 'h' is 'HIT'.
(Other definitions for hit that I've seen before include "not to miss!" , "Adversely affected" , "Successful stroke, conspicuous success or connection to a website" , "Sock" , "Blow; popular song" .)