Crossword Genius

Mess remains behind hotel (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hash

'mess' is the definition.
(as in making a hash of something)

'remains behind hotel' is the wordplay.
'remains' becomes 'ash' (remains of a fire).
'behind' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'hotel' becomes 'h' (phonetic alphabet: alpha, bravo, charlie etc.).
'ash' put after 'h' is 'HASH'.

(Other definitions for hash that I've seen before include "Keypad symbol" , "preparation that's nothing new" , "Mess; meat/potato dish" , "Recooked dish for shah" , "Stew - botched job" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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