<P> For the title track "Hotel California", after the arrangement and instrumentation had been refined, several takes were recorded . The best parts were then spliced together, in all 33 edits on the two ‐ inch master, to create the final version . In contrast, "Victim of Love" was recorded in a live session in studio apart from the lead vocal and the harmony on the choruses which were added later . Don Felder initially sang the lead vocals in the many early takes for the song, but the band felt that his efforts were not up to the required standard, and Henley then took over as the lead . </P> <P> According to Henley in a 1982 interview, the Eagles "probably peaked on Hotel California ." Henley said: "After that, we started growing apart as collaborators and as friends ." </P> <P> The front cover artwork is a photograph of The Beverly Hills Hotel shot just before sunset by David Alexander with design and art direction by Kosh . According to Kosh, Henley wanted him to find a place that can portray the Hotel California of the album title, and "portray it with a slightly sinister edge". Three hotels were photographed, and the one with The Beverly Hills Hotel was selected as the cover . The photographer shot the image 60 feet above Sunset Boulevard on top of a cherry picker . As the image was taken from an unfamiliar position in fading light, most people did not initially recognize the hotel . However, when the identity of Beverly Hills Hotel was revealed, the hotel threatened legal action over the use of the image . </P> <P> The rear album cover was shot in the lobby of the Lido Hotel in Hollywood . The gatefold image shows the same lobby but with their friends and members of the band . Henley said: "I wanted a collection of people from all walks of life, It's people on the edge, on the fringes of society ." A shadowy figure appears on the balcony above the lobby, leading to speculations over the person's identity . </P>

What building is on the cover of hotel california