Resort in desert for hotel guest (8)
I believe the answer is:
resident
'hotel guest' is the definition.
(hotel resident)
'resort in desert' is the wordplay.
'resort' indicates an anagram.
'in'+'desert'='indesert'
'indesert' is an anagram of 'RESIDENT'.
'for' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for resident that I've seen before include "Lodger" , "always in memory" , "Liver" , "Occupier" , "Hotel guest staying for a prolonged period" .)