Crossword Genius

Respected hotel let (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hallowed

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'respected' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'hotel let' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'hotel' could be 'h' (phonetic alphabet: alpha, bravo, charlie etc.) and 'h' is present in the answer.
'let' could be 'allow' (synonyms) and 'allow' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ed' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hallowed that I've seen before include "Sanctified" , "Reverenced" , "Made blessed" , "Revered" , "Like saints" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.
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