"We loved FS Bora Bora! It was about $1500/night as well.

We met a couple on mainland Bora Bora ...they stayed at St. Regis and they told us their bungalow looked dated and wished they went with FS."

I stayed at the St. Regis and a couple told us their bungalow was small and dated at the FS.

Pretty indiscernible difference at these two hotels.

If I were to go back to FP I'd stay at the Brando and neither the FS or StR are "amazingly better than the other". I wouldn't take much stock in anyone who stayed at either, as both camps say "I am so glad we chose the StR or the FS." Both are the same and for me I earned points, got the premium upgrade and free breakfast which made the StR a better value. The food at both places isn't great, with a nod the StR for the sushi restaurant and FS for the breakfast. But to say one way or the other simply suggests that one is either a fanboy or validating their decision. Both are great, though in general FS hotels are better than StR hotels--but not always for everyone, especially in this case.

I'd actually prefer the FS though simply because a lot of people at the StR seemed like honeymooners who's parents paid for the trip whereas the vibe I got from FS guests was that they saved their own money for the trip and made the sacrifice.