When we heard the news that Banyan Tree had officially opened a new resort yesterday call Angsana in Phuket, our first thought was, “Yes! Another gorgeous, warm, exotic-yet-comfy property in the Banyan Tree family!” We literally thought those exact words. Our second thought was “Isn’t there already a resort in Phuket with that name?” (Because these are the questions that keep us up at night.) The answer, as it turns out, is no. But anyone who’s tried to book a beach getaway to Thailand knows there’s a good reason for such confusion. Here’s our quick-reference guide to what makes Thailand’s high-end resorts unique.

Located on Bang Tao Beach, Angsana is a $30 million renovation of the former Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket, a part of the Laguna Phuket complex of five luxury hotels set on 600 acres of parkland, with three kilometers of pristine beach spread over six lagoons, and an outstanding array of recreational and dining facilities. It's constructed in a modern style with hints of traditional Thai architecture, like steeply arched roofs and small canals and waterways throughout the property. We love the brightly colored accents in the décor, which bring the vivid colors of the nature outside into the pristine rooms. There's an emphasis on teaching sustainability, both in the hotel’s management practices and in experiental learning, like interacting with the property’s two baby elephants, Lucky and Joey. With 409 rooms and suites, four restaurants, and Xana--the resort’s beach club which is yet to open--there’s a lot going on here, so we’re eager to see where this property finds its niche.

Anantara’s 83 villas enjoy prime real estate on Mai Khao beach on the northwest coast, near the Sirinath Marine National Park, which keeps development to a minimum. The Anantara Hotel Group specializes in the Asia-Pacific region, based out of Bangkok, and this is definitely the place to make the most of the islands, with a busy itinerary of activities on the resort, ranging from tennis to cooking classes, and numerous excursions for everything from visiting a gibbon rescue, to an elephant trek, to snorkeling and diving the Similan Islands. And definitely make sure to check out the open-air spa—you’ll need one of their ultra-relaxing signature Thai massages to wind down from your busy day.

With just 26 villas and 37 suites built into the hillside overlooking Kamala Beach, it’s tempting to hide out in Andara's plushly appointed rooms and play house with the high-end appliances, punctuated by trips to the pool (a social gathering place for the resort). The restaurant, Silk, serves elegantly presented Thai classics to a mix of hotel guests and locals. Force yourself  to hop the shuttle down to the hotel’s private club at the public beach, or to nearby Patong Beach, a major party destination for travelers to Thailand. After all, you need to reach the water in order to access the hotel’s two best accessories—a pair of 92 and 115-foot yachts available for everything from multi-day cruises around the islands, to catered scuba-diving daytrips.

It will come as no surprise to fans of the Aman brand of resorts (and they do tend to be ardent fans) when we say that the traditionally-constructed Amanpuri, on the west coast’s Pansea Beach, is all about relaxation. Unwind here with visits to local festivals and temples, daily yoga and meditation sessions on the hillside, and trips to the teak-lined but airy spa (Aman’s first full service spa, where they developed many of their signatures). Or try it the Western way with a sunset drink on the bar’s beachfront terrace and attentive service, including spa treatments, in your spacious, traditionally appointed rooms.