Here is what I did regarding the template issue.
There is a BLANK template available for free. You can download it here:
blank.vc/
1. Create a hidden menu item of the Hotspots component noting the menu item ID
2. Assign the blank template to the menu item
3. Using NoNumber's Component Anywhere plugin, add to a module {component index.php?tmpl=component&Itemid=###&option=com_hotspots&view=hotspots} with ### being the menu item ID
4. Place that module anywhere you want and your map will display with full functionality. You can customize your map using overrides under OPTIONS when you created the menu item for the map.