>the HATEOAS detail ends up having no practical value and creates more problems than the ones it solves.

Many server-rendered websites support REST by design: a web page with links and forms is the state transferred to client. Even in SPAs, HATEOAS APIs are great for shifting business logic and security to server, where it belongs. I have built plenty of them, it does require certain mindset, but it does make many things easier. What problems are you talking about?