To be fair, Flames had actually negotiated good rates at the hotels. We found that there are plenty of interesting things to see while driving through large swaths of Ohio. 
Especially at younger ages, some teams appreciate being able to have room blocks so that families can stay together. Hanging out with the team in a hotel lobby, or at the bar with the other parents, was kind of a thing. It's no different from weddings, or business conferences. I think it just gets out of hand when they are requiring it and checking up on teams.