The best thing might be to book a flight and hotel together, but I found that if two people (or more) are traveling together, it could get expensive if you book flight+hotel. For instance, flights right now are at about $279 (off orbitz.com for travel from 4/29-5/1) and with a two-night stay at any of the hotels we previously listed, it'd cost around $300 so total it'd cost two people roughly $600 whereas if you book the flight+hotel, it'd be almost $600 per person.
There are, however, less expensive hotels around the area, which would save you even MORE money. Here's a few I found that were off the MAX line. The MAX is our tram that travels almost anywhere in Portland. Take a look here for its routes: TriMet.
Red Lion Hotel Portland Airport
(503) 255-6722
This hotel is going to be the best bang for your buck. You'd have to call and make sure, but I think they have a shuttle going to and from the airport. I'm pretty sure it's near the MAX line too, so you should be able to get to and from downtown for around $2/person without a problem (again, not 100% sure about this- I'd ask to make sure). There's a bar in this hotel that has a wall of like 10 flat screen tvs which is pretty rad. Our wedding will be around the NBA playoffs, so that might come in handy. :) Rates for this hotel start at $59/night!!
Doubletree Hotel Portland
1000 NE Multnomah St.
Portland, OR 97232
(503) 287-6111
The Doubletree off Multnomah is near the Oregon Convention Center and there are multiple MAX lines that run through this area. It's also near a lot of restaurants, and within a mile or so of some pretty stellar bars. You can also ride the MAX to Lloyd Center for some shopping if you don't feel like going into Downtown Portland. Be aware, though, that this hotel is not within Fareless Square even though it's so close. To take the MAX from here, you'd still need to buy a ticket. Rates start at $70, and I'd recommend booking this hotel soon if this is your desired hotel because if there's an event at the Convention Center, hotels around there will book up pretty quickly. And really, if you find a hotel/motel/inn that is near the Convention Center, it's a pretty good bet you're within walking distance to a MAX stop.
McMenamins also has a few hotels around town that are pretty rad but it'll be difficult to arrange transportation. McMenamins is a brewery in Portland, and is well known for their Terminator beer (Pete's favorite of theirs) and rates start at $50!! Take a look at their website here and take a look around. I know that Edgefield has a room where up to six people can stay in one room for about $150-175 a night. Why wouldn't you want to stay at a hotel that brews its own beer? The only downside is that "European-style guest rooms" means that some of the rooms share bathrooms. I'd look into it if you don't mind sharing, or if you do mind, they do offer private baths, just for a higher rate. Of all the McMenamins hotels, I'd recommend Edgefield and Kennedy School the most. Old St. Francis School looks really fun, but it's in Bend which is a 3+ hour drive to Portland.
I hope this helps. I had a more difficult time than I thought finding hotels that were off the MAX line for under $100. Sometimes, though, there are flash sales for hotels here and so I'll keep an eye out. We do still have a few months, but I know rates for airfare will be cheaper booking in advance. But also keep in mind that there are always sales for airfare too.
If you don't mind not being on the MAX line, there are a ton of cheaper hotels, motels, and inns. I was just trying to figure out hotels that would be convenient for you to hop onto the max or walk instead of renting out a car and having to drive. Pete and I are currently living in Beaverton, OR which is about 10 miles outside of Portland, and there aren't a lot of hotels around Beaverton, but the ones we do have are fairly affordable. When you book a hotel, if you're not renting a car, I'd ask if the hotel provides a shuttle to and from the airport, and if they don't, you should ask how far the hotel is from the nearest MAX stop. For the day of the wedding, if you stay outside of downtown and are not renting a car, the most sufficient way to get to the venues is to hail a cab. Ladies, Portland is a city that's huge on walking, so remember to bring a pair of comfortable walking shoes/flats!
Let us know if you need help with anything! We'll be keeping an eye out for airfare as well as hotel rates and post them here. Keep checking the blog- but we'll post on our Twitter/Facebook pages too. Hope this helps! We can't wait to see you!!
p.s. :):)
