Spartan slave in hotel thrashed (5)

I believe the answer is:

helot

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

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

'hotel thrashed' is the wordplay.
'hotel' anagrams to 'HELOT'.
Though, I am not clear how this is indicated.

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for helot that I've seen before include "downtrodden?" , "One made to work" , "Hotel (anag) - serf" , "Spartan slave" , "Greek serf" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.

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