ChordSequence
Hotel California by Eagles — album cover

Hotel California Chords

Eagles · Hotel California

75 BPM 4/4 4:16 Capo 2 Beginner–Intermediate rock
Chords7
InIntro8 bars×2
VVerse16 bars
On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair
Warm smell of colitas rising up through the air
Up ahead in the distance, I saw a shimmering light
My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim
I had to stop for the night
There she stood in the doorway; I heard the mission bell
And I was thinking to myself
This could be heaven or this could be hell
Then she lit up a candle, and she showed me the way
There were voices down the corridor,
I thought I heard them say...
CChorus8 bars
Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place (such a lovely place), such a lovely face
Plenty of room at the Hotel California
Any time of year (any time of year), you can find it here
VVerse16 bars
Her mind is Tiffany-twisted, she got the Mercedes bends
She got a lot of pretty, pretty boys she calls friends
How they danced in the courtyard, sweet summer sweat
Some dance to remember, some dance to forget
So I called up the captain; Please bring me my wine (he said)
We haven't had that spirit here since 1969
And still those voices are calling from far away
Wake you up in the middle of the night
Just to hear them say...
CChorus8 bars
Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place (such a lovely place), such a lovely face
They're livin' it up at the Hotel California
What a nice surprise (what a nice surprise), bring your alibis
VVerse16 bars
Mirrors on the ceiling; the pink champagne on ice (and she said)
We are all just prisoners here, of our own device
And in the master's chambers, they gathered for the feast
They stab it with their steely knives but they
just can't kill the beast
Last thing I remember, I was running for the door
I had to find the passage back to the place I was before
Relax, said the night man; we are programmed to receive
You can check out any time you like
But you can never leave...

Beyond the notes

A chart only shows the chords. Here is the easiest way to play Hotel California on guitar, and a place to take it once you know it.

Easiest on guitar

Open chords in Am. A capo on fret 2 sounds like the original key of Bm.

AmE7GDFCDm

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Hotel California chords in other keys

The same progression moved to whichever key suits your voice. Pick one to transpose the chart and the playback.

Key of Bm Original
BmF#7AEGDEm
Key of Gm
GmD7FCEbBbCm
Key of Cm
CmG7BbFAbEbFm
Key of Dm
DmA7CGBbFGm
Key of Am
AmE7GDFCDm
Key of Em
EmB7DACGAm
Key of Fm
FmC7EbBbDbAbBbm

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About Hotel California

Hotel California by Eagles — B minor, capo 2, 75 BPM, beginner–intermediate. Built around F#7, G, D and Bm. Transpose to any key right on the page. The chart moves through Intro, Verse and Chorus, using 7 chords in total — a slow and emotional rock song, and B minor is wistful and bittersweet.

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote Hotel California?

Hotel California was written and recorded by Eagles. It appears on the album "Hotel California".

What key is Hotel California in?

Hotel California is in B minor. On guitar, place a capo on the 2nd fret to play in the original recorded key.

What are the chords in Hotel California?

The chord chart uses 7 chords: Bm, F#7, A, E, G, D, Em.

How fast is Hotel California?

Hotel California is played at 75 BPM (beats per minute) — a slow and emotional feel.

Is Hotel California easy to play?

Hotel California is built around 6 main chords and a capo on the 2nd fret — 7 in total once you count the passing chords — so it's rated Beginner–Intermediate. It takes some practice but is very manageable.

Does Hotel California use a capo?

Yes — place a capo on the 2nd fret to play Hotel California in its original key.

Can I get a printable PDF of Hotel California?

Yes — click PDF in the toolbar above for a printable, transposable chord chart for Hotel California by Eagles. Free, no signup needed.

Practice tools

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