spending a few days in that area at the end of october. should we stay in FL or miami? looking to relax, have fruity drinks on the beach or by the pool, enjoy nice dinner/drinks out.

Considering the Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show is the end of October, I would go for Miami.

In FLL hotel rooms will be expensive and scarce.

Also, make reservations early. Fantasy Fest is going on in Key West the last full week of October and many people fly into either MIA or FLL.

I would second going to Miami,

I say it depends on the type of person you are. I live in Ft Lauderdale and here is my take.
Given that you are traveling on a regular weekend and not when something is going on (ie. boat show/fantasy fest) the citys are like this...
You can hang on either beach...sipping coctails, the beaches are the same. In Ft Laud you can actually get a hotel On the sand and in Miami Beach they are across the street. You will have traffic anywhere you go.
The attitudes of the Cities are different however... Are you laid back or into the club scene?
Ft Laud is more laid back... you can venture to the Elbow Room or Las Olas in Ft Laud and just chill or stay in Miami where the entire city is one big club at night. It really dpends on you. BUT with that said either city is only a 20-40 min drive (depend on location/traffic) from each other so you can really do both.

kimberlina, your post is confusing.

There are tons of hotels on the beach in Miami. The only place the hotels are across the street from the beach are a short strip of South Beach on Ocean Drive from Fifth Street to about 13th Street and then Lummas Park is oceanfront. You have nothing blocking your view.

I've found the atmosphere of South Beach very laid back (and clubby at times) and FLL very laid back.