Looking for:
-Very private pool villa type accommodation where we can really hang out most of the day (we're happy to just hang out ... did that at our OWV in Maldives no problem)

-Soft ceiling of $1000 per night... obviously less money = better and I'd like to keep it around 1k/nt, but if the perfect hotel is $1075/night, then I'm not going to complain.

-Asia -- have some great TPAC award flights on hold, and we really like making flying "part of the vacation."

-Good weather in March almost guaranteed. Not willing to risk it a place like Tahiti or something. I realize you can't ever predict weather--particularly tropical places, but looking for a safe pick a la Maldives in Jan/Feb or Bali in August, etc.

Bonus points for:
-Scenic 3-5 mile runs
-Bicycles for use and places to ride them

We've been to, and would prefer not to visit the same place twice:
-Maldives
-Phuket/Mai Khao area. We're not opposed to Thailand or flying into HKT if that's the closest airport, but would prefer not Mai Khao again. Phuket itself also didn't do too much for us...
-Bali
-UAE

Short list so far:
-Shangri-La Boracay where we can get a loft villa around 950/nt. Looks great, but the only down side is that MPH isn't the most accessible airport

-Six Senses Yao Noi ... similar price point, but a bit worried about outdoor only shower ... not crazy about that.

-Vana Belle Koh Samui ... tempting to earn a bunch of SPG points as long as I'm gonna spend a bunch of money.

Other suggestions?

Have you considered Vietnam? There's the Six Senses at Con Dao and Ninh Van Bay and if you're willing to stretch your budget there's also the recently opened Amanoi.

Another budget stretching option might be Song Saa Private Island in Cambodia, the benefits of which is that it is all-inclusive (full board).

Dont do Song Saa!
If you expect anything like Maldives you will be extremely disappointed!
Also stay away from Soneva Kiri (sandflies).

Done both this March and were disappointed.

+1 for Amanoi. You should be able to get a pool pavilion for ~$1000/night.

I'd probably go with Amanoi.

My other choices would be Trisara, Amanpuri or Amanpulo, but the latter two will exceed your budget if you want a pool villa.

+1

Weather will be lovely at any of these then , just has all of what the OP desires
Might just get an upgrade if they know it ' s their honeymoon

FYI , Pulo ' s website does not show the interiors refurbished casitas / villas . If you think you like what you see , then you will be pleasantly surprised come Oct . This is likely when all renovations of casitas / villas will be complete .

For N'oi , more treks will be opened up / activities added by then and likely other secluded beaches / coves

As much as I look at it, Amanoi just doesn't wow me--including after reading the 18 page thread which basically (forgive me!) comes across as a bunch of Aman evangelists discussing the degree of "Aman-ness." Am I missing something or is part of what makes it special not able to be conveyed in pictures somehow?

For me, it's very, very nice. But I don't think I would recommend it for your honeymoon based on what's in your original post. At least not by itself.

Perhaps if you combined it as the beach/relaxing portion of a larger itinerary?

Depends on what you're looking for. If you want to hang out at a pool villa in a beautiful spot in Asia with good service for under $1000, then Amanoi is a good choice. If that's not what you're looking for, it might not be.

I don't think you'd be happy there given your comments above and the other properties you're looking at. Maybe combine it with a stay elsewhere in Vietnam. The only Aman hotel I would say looks great in photos is Amanpulo - is that within your price bracket?

Two years ago for our April honeymoon, we did Amanpulo, Amanpuri, and Trisara.

It'll push your budget a bit, but was a great trip. We wrote up a long trip report at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...-amanpulo.html. (Note that the pictures aren't working right now - I need to fix them at some point.)

Well , in HKT , Mai Khao isn ' t really a preferred area .. Beach gradient there is rather steep , etc .
There are quieter , non touristy parts .

Forgot to mention that SS Yai Noi now has indoor showers .
If you decide to go there , request for those with it .
Can combine with Puri or Trisara .

As for Amano'i , you have to be there to appreciate the spectacular scenery & beauty of being in a national park . Privacy .
Photos can ' t / don 't show & don ' t do justice to the ' atmosphere ' experienced when present .
Those who have stayed at an Aman will understand the difference
It is a one of the sprawling Amans , not like Puri pavilions .

If you do go , best combine with Metropole in Hanoi or PH in Saigon / HCMC - for flight connections / jet lag buffer .
Taking into account too that this is a honeymoon

We are just back from Pulo . We really love the idyllic ' peace ' of this tiny private island with the best soft sand which is cool at all times .
We did hang out in our casita a whole lot as it was ' unusually ' hot . Should be nice in Mar .

Be sure to read kurl ' s TR .
Pulo has done improvements since then & is even better when one already thought things were just about perfect !
" .. the Pool Club serves Asian and Western food, the Beach Club serves Spanish food, the Lagoon Club has Vietnamese for dinner only, and the Picnic Grove pizzas at lunch. "
The Lagoon Club is now Thai with a Thai chef & not Vietnamese which you can still request . Food is really good .
Stargazing is nightly & the runway has been & is being upgraded - not dirt
If you do choose an Aman property , remember any request isn ' t too outlandish , and they won ' t bat an eyelid when you ask either .
We & others will likely be able to give you further updates once you have decided on your destination ( s ) .

Bahrain - AlAreen palace. Cost me about $500 per night, although the resort is not as great as it used to be, the honeymoon package and villa I stayed at were amazing.