they both take about the same amount of work..just practice staining first if your going to do that instead of paint

to paint-sand down the finish..it doesnt have to be all gone just get rid of the top clear coat layer-put on a primer (since your going dark i want to say use a tinted one)-use some sand parer and lightly sand this so that there arent any brush strakes for the top coat-put on one or two coats of your chosen colour-put on a finsih sealing coat

staining/refinishing-sand it down until all the finish is gone-make sure you wipe the tabel down so their is no dust or dirt on it-aplly the stain using a brush following the grain-put on another coat, maybe even more if needed-put on a finish coat

* if you dont know how to stain just ask on here again:P
**personalyl i would regret painting the table..but whatever makes you happiest you should do:P plus if you paint it and regret it you can always and it down and refinish it