I don't know about Gen Con. At Origins there is an organization that you can buy a ribbon to have access to. They have a ton of games and people there to play. It was a little less open for new people, the guys there all know each other and not always looking to play or teach new people.
I beg to differ! Simply put up a boxtop and gamers will show up to play you. Heck, if you see a guy wearing a badge that says Tom Liles (that's me), just introduce yourself and tell me what we're going to play.
Also, Jay Tummelson (Pres. of RGG) just walks around and plays Dominion with people during the con. How cool is it that you can play board games with the guy who publishes them!
Re: hotels. There Are two primary concerns here: distance and price. If you don't mind getting less sleep and paying to park, you can get a hotel room on the outskirts for about 60 bucks a night for a double. On the other end of the spectrum, you can get a hotel room within walking distance to the con, but it will run you between 90-150 a night. Book early if you're going to stay close, because they fill up long (as in months, I believe) before the con starts.
Oh, and here's some advice I have from that's kind of unrelated: don't preregister for more than an event or two. You're going to see so much that you'll want to do and meet some really cool people. Preregistering for a bunch of events makes the con feel like being in High School (I have Chem...I mean 7th Sea at 10 p.m., can I meet up with you after? Oh, you have English until 3? When's your lunch period?). Be flexible.
Gosh, I've got so much more I could write. Origins really is my favorite part of summer. Bring your favorite game and a module or two you could run in the breezeway. Otherwise, don't pack the car full--you'll need the space later. Don't waste time eating out dinner in Columbus unless it's at a Steak n' Shake. If you need refreshments, remember they sell vodka in the grocery stores. If you travel through Western PA on your way to or from the con, don't go looking for Kennywood no matter what. If the Battletech guys show up, ask them if there are any mech models available that they aren't advertising in their lit. Buckeye Donuts on high st. is a delicious and affordable breakfast. White Castle is not all it's cracked up to be. Neither is the Battletech tournament.
Play Dread with the guys at Windmill games. Oh God, do yourself a favor and play Dread with the guys at Windmill games.
The House of Babes actually IS a repurposed Fast Food restaurant, and to our chagrin we find it would be much better suited were it still a fast food restaurant.
Whew. So much fun.
The Red Roof Inn is much cheaper and is not too much farther from the con. Hyatt is attached, but Red Roof is like 1/2 a block from the con.
Another lodging option is Drury Inn Suites. It's attached to the con's food court. I'm not sure what their prices are like. The three closest hotels to the con are Drury, Hyatt, and Red Roof.