First trip to Vegas: Stratosphere or Sahara?
 

I'm taking my first trip to Las Vegas this October.

There are smoking deals available for a week at the Stratosphere and the Sahara.

Are there any major differences? I am aware that neither
is in the best location.

Things I am concerned about:
poker
the pool (i.e. the girls)
how nice the rooms are

Are there any major differences between the two?
I realize that they are not the nicest places but
they are a few hundred cheap than any other place
on the strip for the week.

Re: First trip to Vegas: Stratosphere or Sahara?
 

I hate the poker room at the Sahara. I have never been to the poker room at the Strat.

I don't know anything about the rooms at either, but the Strat is obviously newer.

Neither one is where i would be staying if looking at girls was my objective.

Never been to the pool at either place. If you are looking for a cheap place with a nice pool area check into the Tropicana at the other end of the strip. The Poker Room isn't much by easy access to MGM.

One advantage to the Sahara is that there is a monorail stop right there so you have easy access to much more of the strip.

Re: First trip to Vegas: Stratosphere or Sahara?
 

Regardless of which hotel you stay at, you should be playing most of your poker somewhere else.

Re: First trip to Vegas: Stratosphere or Sahara?
 

If you stay at the Sahara you can jump on the monorail and travel the strip pretty quickly.

Re: First trip to Vegas: Stratosphere or Sahara?
 

The rooms at the stratosphere are kinda nice, but the Sahara is so much nicer b/c of being closer to the monorail. Both poker rooms are horrible.

Re: First trip to Vegas: Stratosphere or Sahara?
 

I've never stayed at the Stratosphere but I heard they have a topless pool there. The demo might be topless 40+'ers though.

http://www.stratospherehotel.com/las...h_club_25.html

They call it admission, but I call it a cover charge for guys to look at boobs.

Re: First trip to Vegas: Stratosphere or Sahara?
 

Been to both stayed at both. Like Sahara's tourney's rooms ok monorail great, pool looked ok/busy, not my thing though. But the food s..cks/Night life s.cks. Never played cash game there. I like strat's poker room, pretty loose great view of sports room tv's. Rooms good/ok, sinks worked best anywhere in vegas no lie. Resteraunts/shopping good can take duece or monorail to strip, or taxi. Duece is cool if it doesn't take to long to get on. Strat has band etc still pretty low key. Planning on staying at Strat again, can't beat the price.

Re: First trip to Vegas: Stratosphere or Sahara?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Regardless of which hotel you stay at, you should be playing most of your poker somewhere else.

[/ QUOTE ]

Curious as to why and suggestions, I know excalibur's looser. Maybe.

Re: First trip to Vegas: Stratosphere or Sahara?
 

[ QUOTE ]
I've never stayed at the Stratosphere but I heard they have a topless pool there. The demo might be topless 40+'ers on crack though.

[/ QUOTE ]

Re: First trip to Vegas: Stratosphere or Sahara?
 

Just stayed at the Sahara for three nights. I agree with most of the posts.

Poker room sucks. Only 2/4 and 4/8 limit (sometimes) and 1/2 NL (100-500max).

I did not try the 40+20 rebuy tourneys, but have seen other posts here and on AVP where they were recommended. They are at 11a, 7p, and 11p every day.

If you decide on Sahara, ask for a room in the Tangiers tower. It was more recently renovated and was quite acceptable for what I paid.

Buffet was average at best.

Have eaten at the Nascar Cafe before, and it was OK, but not on this last trip.

Monorail was right outside, although I had a car so that was not a factor.

Did not try the pool, although I did see that there were plenty of people in there.

In the end, I only ended up playing two sessions there and took the rest of my play elsewhere.

Re: First trip to Vegas: Stratosphere or Sahara?
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Regardless of which hotel you stay at, you should be playing most of your poker somewhere else.

[/ QUOTE ]

Curious as to why and suggestions, I know excalibur's looser. Maybe.

[/ QUOTE ]

The Sahara and Stratosphere have small, unspectacular poker rooms. If you're coming to Vegas, I can't understand why you wouldn't want to play in several of the great rooms like the Bellagio, Mirage, Wynn, and Caesars Palace.

Re: First trip to Vegas: Stratosphere or Sahara?
 

I've stayed at the sahara when I was in town for a convention. For the price I didnt mind it.

The poker room was pretty horrible and there was an insane amount of angle shooting taking place and allowed in the no limit games. The pool wasnt anything amazing but i spent a few hours there and enjoyed myself. Having the monorail station right there is a definate bonus.

Re: First trip to Vegas: Stratosphere or Sahara?
 

If you're a careless smoker then Stupak might be able to cut you a very sweet deal at the Stratosphere. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Re: First trip to Vegas: Stratosphere or Sahara?
 

[ QUOTE ]
If you're a careless smoker then Stupak might be able to cut you a very sweet deal at the Stratosphere. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

You do know that Bob Stupak does not own the Stratosphere.

Re: First trip to Vegas: Stratosphere or Sahara?
 

Both are okay since they are cheap, but Sahara is right on the monorail. Stratosphere has the Big Shot and a few better table games, if you care about that, but Sahara rates your action better.

Neither have [censored] for poker, though Sahara's 500max 1-2 NL game can play pretty ridiculously late night. It's one of the better low-limit NL games at 4 AM or so, so check it out if you're into that kind of stuff.

Make sure you play at the Wynn though.

Re: First trip to Vegas: Stratosphere or Sahara?
 

If this are your only choices based on economics, I would stay at the Sahara in a heartbeat over the Strat. If money is an issue for accomadations, then money is an issue for transportation, and staying at Sahara will save you a bunch as it is more easily walkable and monorail right there.
The poker rooms both kinda suck, but sahara is better. I think the girl scene will be pretty second rate both places but Sahara probably better. Strat seems to have an older crowd when I've been there compared to Sahara.

Make sure you stop at the Peppermill if you are staying at Sahara and Dino's lounge late night if you stay at the Strat (a block north of the Strat -best to RUN that block [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img])

Re: First trip to Vegas: Stratosphere or Sahara?
 

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions.

I will be playing most of my poker elsewhere.
Still have not decided between the two.
I am leaning towards the Sahara now, though.

Re: First trip to Vegas: Stratosphere or Sahara?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Make sure you play at the Wynn though.

[/ QUOTE ]

Great room, very plush. Good 4/8 action for low limit players. However very tight seating in the room. I was constantly getting bumped into while in the 6 seat at a table by dealers, cocktail waitresses and the players at the adjacent table.

Loved the Venetian more for the shear amount of space.

Re: First trip to Vegas: Stratosphere or Sahara?
 

Tropicana - better rates than either Sahara or Strat, and it's actually nicer, and more centrally located.

AB