Being that my husband and I had no clue, by the time we got to making reservations in Omaha after the super regionals, THERE WAS NO ROOM AT THE INN.
This is how it works. You have no clue where the team is staying. The hotels don't even know until the kids do after teh last game. They get an envelope with all teh info from the NCAA rep. All hotels are downttown as to where they stay, 200-250-300 per night.
You can call and beg for a better rate, if they have room. At the Hilton Garden Inn where our team stayed they had no rooms available. We stayed in a suite just the two of us at Embassy Suites but was the only place we could find until we found a less expensive place. We stayed at the same hotel as UM folks for 2 days and just so happened we knew some UM folks, so that was ok. Each downtown hotel has a theme, whatever team is staying there is the theme for the week. It was neat.Now this is what I learned. Rice and LSU fans book a year in advance, if they are attending, no cancellations. They have been known to have every fan in the country attend, they travel well. Depending upon who is playing, it might be VERY hard to find a room at first. Book a few rooms in case other parents want to stay, make sure you can cancel.
Not going to tell our tale, but we set out for Omaha (we drove as we had no clue when will return) with no place to stay. One night in one place, another downtown (300 dollars a night). If that fits your budget that's fine but for a week didn't fit ours. you don't need to spend much time at the hotel, we preferred it to CSW "stuff" and food and drink.
So we did find a nice clean out of the way place in Bellvue about 10-15 minutes up from Rosenblatt. Called the Best Western White House (found by another Clemson parent). It was perfect, quiet, a little breakfast served, no pool but who needed one or cared and family owned and reasonable. There is also a Hampton Inn across the street but it was new and not opened at the time. I am superstitious, but make reservations now because you WANT to be in Omaha on the first day (opening ceremonies). This was the best, watching practice (ours got rained out), autograph sessions and Olympic type ceremonies with the best fireworks display ever. People come from all around just for the ceremonies because it is FREE! And it is HOT. REAL Hot.The week goes like this, you may find a place, have to stay there and then as teams leave you move around, but I didn't like that. You can also cross the river to the casino hotels if you want, but I found them to be booked and expensive.
Parking, the folks clear their yards and for $10 you can park all day, we lucked out many times and found parking on the street for free. If you stay downtown you can get the bus to the stadium, but you have to walk to catch it up the HILL, bring your walking shoes.
Don't miss the zoo, funnel cakes or Omaha Steak sandwiches, the brewery, Dave's famous BBQ and stop into a neighbors beer garden. Wait to buy, shop around, great bargains if your team loses.
Tell your sons you want to go, make it happen!
Best of luck!