I would go with whatever aesthetically pleases you more. If you choose the cheaper option just because it is cheaper and you hate looking at it, was it really worth it?
I put a stamped and colored concrete patio in two years ago and love it. There are 4 steps down from the patio door to the patio, so the concrete guy suggested not doing poured steps because of the weight, and we had another contractor put some wooden ones in instead. We are in a new development, so a bunch of us neighbors all hired the same guy and he gave us a good deal because he only had to move his equipment once, saved on the concrete truck fees because he could do full loads instead of partials, etc.
Stuff to make sure is included in your quote:
- Permits
- Hauling away the excavated dirt. If they do it right, a 400 square foot patio will leave you with a couple of dump trucks full, and you don't want to figure out where to put it or how to get it out of your yard.
- Sealing the concrete when they're done
- Steps if you need them. If you need more than 2 steps down, you might need a railing, too. Check your local building code.