Help me please. I realize these are both pretty crappy hotels compared to the rest of Vegas, but I have a voucher with only these two choices for two nights...

What's the lesser of the evils??

Which has a better pool area??

Thanks!

I don't know about the pool areas, but Sahara is a considerably nicer hotel in a much better location. It has a tram stop, and the area surrounding is just nicer, even though Stratosphere isn't that much farther north.

Melody,
I have stayed at the Stratosphere twice and never really had a problem with it. The rooms we had were always clean and fit the bill for a place to rest our head. There's a bus stop right out front that we used often but the Sahara is maybe a 5 minute walk so you could always grab the tram there. Granted, the location is less than desirable and some of the "locals" who you see around that area are a little questionable but we never ran into any problems and usually felt pretty safe. Plus, there's plenty of other visitors around doing the same thing you are so there's safety in numbers.

The pool at the Stratosphere isn't bad. It's pretty large and had a nice bench that ran around the perimeter of the pool so you could just sit in the water and relax. The area around it is just concrete and gets pretty hot but it wasn't so bad. Just take a dip when you get hot. Being on the 8th fl (I think) it's got a pretty decent view of the mountains. There's also a little snack shack type thing that serves drinks and I believe I saw some waitresses serving them.

If the Strat was closer to the strip I'd stay there again. For the price it's really not bad at all.

I stayed at the Strat a few years ago and the room was big, but the area is not so great, and the pool area is on the roof, nothing special. I would try the Sahara IMHO.

Stayed at both. If not for location, I'd chose Stratosphere and pay more. Casino, shows, shopping, rooms, food - everything's better at the Strat.

But: Sahara's area is safer, and it's on the monorail.

Can't compare the pools, only Sahara's: kinda nice.

If you'll be taking a cab at night, then of course Strat.