Motel: it's about providing a recurring theme (9)
I believe the answer is:
leitmotif
'a recurring theme' is the definition.
(recurring idea or image in a creative work)
'motel it's about providing' is the wordplay.
'about' indicates anagramming the letters.
'providing' becomes 'if' (eg 'providing it's sunny' means 'if it's sunny').
'motel'+'it'='motelit'
'motelit' is an anagram of 'leitmot'.
'leitmot'+'if'='LEITMOTIF'
(Other definitions for leitmotif that I've seen before include "it's a repetitive strain" , "Recurrent theme" , "A melodic phrase that accompanies the reappearance of a person on stage" , "Recurring musical theme" , "Recurring theme in literary composition" .)