Putting room parties in function space usually means spending $$$$$ on them, because hotels believe that they should provide all food and beverage that's consumed in function space. Sometimes you can negotiate them out of it--it depends on the hotel, the location, and how much they want your business.

And here in Massachusetts it's *illegal* for a hotel to let alcohol be served in function space unless the hotel provides the alcohol and a bartender. There are also legal restrictions on where hotels can buy their alcoholic beverages. None of this helps in keeping prices down.