First trip to Vegas: Stratosphere or Sahara?

[Senk]

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.