Some in hotel are billing rises — that’s mean (9)
I believe the answer is:
illiberal
'mean' is the definition.
(both can mean ungenerous)
'some in hotel are billing rises' is the wordplay.
'some in' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'rises' is a reversal indicator.
'larebilli' can be found hidden inside 'hotel are billing'.
'larebilli' written backwards gives 'ILLIBERAL'.
'that's' is the link.
(Other definitions for illiberal that I've seen before include "unenlightened?" , "Reactionary - mean" , "Intolerant; reactionary" , "Restrictive" , "Intolerant; ungenerous" .)