Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree announced that it will start accepting reservations on 24 January 2025 for stays from 2 April 2025.

Designed to resemble the seed pods of the Purple Millettia (Callerya atropurpurea), these treehouses overlook the Upper Seletar Reservoir. Biomimicry was used in the creation of the treehouses and other features of this resort, inviting guests to connect with and embrace nature. Photo credit: Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree

Singapore’s newest resort is located a short drive from the city centre and is nestled within the Mandai Wildlife Reserve where visitors can immerse in nature while providing easy access to renowned zoological parks – Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Wonders, Bird Paradise and the upcoming Rainforest Wild Asia.

Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree features a variety of room and suite categories – from standard rooms and suites to family rooms with a bunk bed that offer views of the rainforest, garden and the Upper Seletar Reservoir, while uniquely designed treehouses, each with a private patio, provide a tranquil retreat for couples.

Highlights of the resort include:

• 338 guest rooms and suites including 24 treehouses
• Unobstructed views of the Upper Seletar Reservoir from the rooftop pool
• Two dining experiences – Forage and Planter’s Shed. Overlooking the tranquil reservoir is specialty restaurant, Forage, which offers a ‘Trust the Chef’ menu and a delicious array of fresh, daily sourced ingredients which include produce from the resort’s rooftop edible garden. Planter’s Shed is an all-day dining restaurant featuring local and international cuisine with buffet options for breakfast and dinner, as well as live cooking stations and roving tableside service for an interactive dining experience. Ala carte menus are available at lunch time.
• The award-winning Banyan Tree Spa with invigorating spa treatments to restore both mind and body. Services include detoxifying body wraps crafted with natural ingredients like turmeric and ginger or signature massages that enhance circulation and alleviate muscle fatigue.
• Bring home a meaningful keepsake from the Banyan Tree Gallery, where locally-inspired merchandise are available for purchase.

For enquiries and reservations, please visit our website at Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree. Room prices will be reflected on the website from 24 January 2025.

Press release 18 Dec 2024

• Immerse in the wonders of the rainforest a short distance away from Singapore’s city centre at Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree
• Wake up to the sounds of nature, on the doorstep of world-renowned wildlife parks at Banyan Group’s inaugural resort in Singapore

Opening in April 2025, Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree offers a nature-inspired stay where every element, from the architecture to the interiors, is designed to harmonise with the environment. Located just a short drive from the city centre and nestled within the Mandai Wildlife Reserve (Singapore’s integrated wildlife and nature destination), the 4.6-hectare resort provides direct access to renowned zoological parks such as Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Wonders, Bird Paradise and the upcoming Rainforest Wild.

“We are excited to have Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree serve as the perfect launchpad for Singaporeans and tourists to discover the marvels of nature and wildlife,” said Glen Cook, General Manager of Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree. “As Banyan Group’s homecoming property, we are dedicated to delivering unparalleled guest experiences synonymous with the Banyan Tree brand. From exclusive wildlife encounters in the parks right next door to rejuvenating spa treatments, every moment will be thoughtfully crafted to captivate the senses. We invite guests to experience a home away from home, where every moment inspires mindfulness, discovery and a deeper connection to self and the surroundings.”

The resort’s design is guided by a deep commitment to biophilia, evident in its architecture, programming, and signature amenities. The resort was designed around the mature trees on the site, while the wings of the resort have been elevated from the ground to accommodate the movement of native wildlife. Drawing inspiration from the rainforest’s natural layers and Banyan Group’s legacy of honouring the essence of each destination, the 338-room resort – designed by the award-winning WOW Architects – seamlessly integrates with its luxuriant forest scape.

The One-Bedroom Suite features a luxurious king-sized bed and a separate living room that offers garden and reservoir views. Photo Credit: Mandai Wildlife Group

“We invite everyone who stays here to embrace being nature’s guest. For many of us who are ‘urban jungle dwellers’, this may mean adapting to a new rhythm, accepting that wildlife, nature and the weather are indifferent to our urban desires and conveniences”, said Teo Joo Leng, Chief Product Officer, Mandai Wildlife Group. “We encourage guests to embrace this experience with a MRR mindset. Coined after the acronym for Mandai Rainforest Resort, it encourages us to be mindful about giving nature space, to reconnect with nature on its terms, and to renew our sense of stewardship for the environment. We hope every guest arrives ready to have meaningful experiences in nature.”

Upon arrival at the resort entrance, guests will be greeted by a towering 12-meter-tall Rain Tree (Samanea saman) on one side and an Indian Beech tree (Millettia pinnata) on the other. Retained in their original locations on the site, these two iconic trees symbolise the resort’s commitment to blending architecture with nature. The Rain Tree, with its sprawling umbrella-shaped canopy, creates the feeling of stepping into the heart of the rainforest resort, while the native Indian Beech, known for its hardy nature and ability to enrich the soil, provides a nurturing environment for climbers, epiphytes, and a diverse range of animals.

Further connecting guests with nature, the lobby is adorned with nature inspired light features that create a harmonious and inviting space, and bespoke furniture such as reception counters and benches incorporated with upcycled wood. As part of the overall stay experience at the resort, associates will share local stories and cultural insights, offering a deeper connection to the destination.

Like a seed pod protecting the seeds within, the 24 tree houses offer a cosy and protective shelter to its guests. Each tree house also comes with its own private patio while hovering above ground. The adjacent five-storey resort building including the rooftop, houses 314 guest rooms and suites, is designed to rise vertically through the layers of the forest scape and offer views of the rainforest, garden and the reservoir.

Inside the rooms, the design celebrates the forest’s complexity through artwork depicting its various layers – the forest floor, understorey, canopy and emergent layers. Antique lithographs of wildlife such as the lesser mousedeer, white-collared kingfisher, Sumatran flying dragon and the grey-headed fish eagle, depict the diverse creatures native to Singapore.

Designed with sustainability in mind, the rooms can be naturally ventilated with windows that fully open, and ambient room temperatures are regulated to mirror the cool atmospheric temperatures of the rainforests in the tropics. Each room is equipped with an interactive display that shows power consumption levels and offers gentle reminders when usage exceeds recommended levels. Also, rainwater is collected and repurposed for the flushing system in every room. These mindful touches to the rooms are integral to every stayover and achieving Singapore’s Green Mark Platinum first-ever Super Low Energy (SLE) resort.

The 300-seater Meranti Ballroom offers a versatile space that can be paired with the resort’s surrounding natural beauty for an unforgettable experience. Photo Credit: Mandai Wildlife Group

The resort’s 300-seater Meranti Ballroom, inspired by the mysterious mythology of the forest floor, offers the ideal venue for momentous celebrations, business meetings and conferences. Its centrepiece design is influenced by the rare Bridal Veil Stinkhorn, a striking mushroom found in tropical environments, which is known for its fascinating hexagonal veil. This captivating focal point sparks conversations about the wonders of fungi and folklore surrounding these enigmatic organisms. The Bridal Room, conveniently located adjacent to the Meranti Ballroom, offers seamless access for the wedding party and effortless preparation and privacy, all while being just steps away from the main event.

Drawing on centuries-old Asian traditions, Banyan Tree Spa at the Mandai Rainforest Resort creates an intimate sanctuary with spa pavilions and suites that reflect local inspiration, seamlessly integrated with the natural beauty of its surroundings. The design of the three treatment pods is inspired by the protective keratin scales of the Sunda pangolin, reflected in the external façade. Just as the pangolin’s scales shield it from harm, the pods provide a sense of protection and tranquillity. Inside, guests can unwind in a peaceful environment while receiving rejuvenating spa treatments from expert therapists, restoring both mind and body. In addition to the iconic pods, the spa also offers three other treatment rooms, each designed to provide a sanctuary for physical, mental, and spiritual renewal. Guests can look forward to the award-winning Banyan Tree Spa experience, rooted in techniques passed down through generations and the use of natural aromatic oils, herbs, and spices.

Staying at Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree unlocks exclusive wildlife experiences across the Mandai Wildlife Reserve. From early morning visits to Bird Paradise through the Wild Walk programme, where guests can observe the birds at their most active and interact with the keepers, to the Wild ZooDay Camp – an immersive guided tour for children aged 6 to 10 years old at Singapore Zoo. In addition, resort guests will benefit from special rates on park entry and signature programmes, offering even more opportunities to explore the wildlife wonders at the precinct.

To register interest and receive notifications on the latest updates of the resort, visit our website.

Mandai Rainforest Resort is set to open next year, with new indoor nature-based experiences and a zoo school to follow.

The Mandai Boardwalk is one of the freely accessible green spaces at the Mandai Wildlife Reserve where visitors can immerse in nature and greenery outside the ticketed parks. The entrance to the boardwalk is next to River Wonders. Photo credit: Mandai Wildlife Group

New experiences inspired by nature and wildlife are coming up at the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, which today is the home of Singapore’s wildlife parks – Bird Paradise, Night Safari, River Wonders, and Singapore Zoo. Later this year, the public will be able to enjoy a freely accessible boardwalk, which has been built along the edge of the Upper Seletar Reservoir. This will be followed by the opening of the much-anticipated Mandai Rainforest Resort operated by Banyan Tree in the first half of 2025. Singapore will also soon welcome its fifth wildlife park, Rainforest Wild, where visitors will be transported into the rainforests of Southeast Asia and Africa.

There will be a new range of nature-based edutainment activities housed within the indoor attractions – Exploria and Curiosity Cove, which will be conveniently located outside Singapore Zoo. The Mandai Wildlife Reserve will be rounded off with the addition of Green Canvas – a meeting and conferencing facility; the Mandai Gallery – an exhibition space narrating the history of Singapore’s zoological parks; Singapore’s only ZooSchool offering zoo-based adventure programmes curated specially for young children, as well as two campsites that will operate throughout the year. These exciting additions are scheduled to progressively open in the coming years.

Map of the Mandai Wildlife Reserve. Photo Credit_ Mandai Wildlife Group

The Mandai Wildlife Reserve is being purposefully transformed into a 126-ha destination teeming with an array of experiences that immerses its visitors in the sights, sounds and scents of nature. In addition to the ticketed experiences which feature curated adventures, there will be freely accessible green spaces with play areas and diverse dining offerings. A 3.3km-long boardwalk skirting the perimeter of River Wonders and Singapore Zoo will offer visitors unparalleled views across the Upper Seletar Reservoir.

A ‘Conscious Stay’ at Mandai Rainforest Resort

Situated in the eastern part of the Mandai Wildlife Reserve and overlooking the Upper Seletar Reservoir, Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree marks a homecoming for hospitality company, Banyan Group, as its inaugural resort for Singapore.

The Mandai Rainforest Resort offers a respite from the urban jungle. Amongst its offerings are treehouses with views of the verdant canopy or the Upper Seletar Reservoir. Photo credit: Mandai Wildlife Group

Sitting on a 4.6-hectare site where native tree species have been thoughtfully planted in harmony with the forest scape, the 338-room resort comprises a four-storey building with standard and family rooms, as well as facilities like a ballroom and meeting rooms, a state-of-the-art gym room and a rooftop swimming pool. Outside these are 24 elevated seed pod-shaped treehouses set amongst the trees, some looking out to the reservoir. The concept of the resort is sympathetic to the existing vegetation, treelines and natural topography. It is designed to be unobtrusive, sitting below the upper canopy layer of the surrounding trees.

Biophilia deeply influences the resort’s architecture and is infused in all programmes, signature amenities and service. Drawing inspiration from Banyan Group’s rich legacy of honouring the essence of the location it is in, the unique characteristics of rainforests – from the forest floor to the understorey, canopy and emergent layers – are illustrated within the rooms to inspire guests to appreciate the biodiversity surrounding them.

A loft bed and dedicated children’s corner in a family room at the Mandai Rainforest Resort offers a cozy retreat ideal for families as they connect with nature and explore the wildlife parks in the Mandai Wildlife Reserve. Photo credit: Mandai Wildlife Group

Within the resort are both an all-day dining as well as a specialty restaurant where sustainably sourced ingredients take centre stage. The resort will also offer a sensory journey through local art and design as well as spa experiences. Guests will be able to explore local creations from community artists in the retail shop. A signature Wellness Centre will offer guests a range of holistic treatments crafted by Banyan Group’s renowned spa experts.

Mandai Rainforest Resort also debuts as the first-ever Super Low Energy (SLE) resort in the country featuring smart control strategies, passive infrared occupancy sensors, and passive displacement ventilation, a solution that cools air using chilled water rather than traditional air conditioning compressor units.

Adventures in the multi-layered rainforest

The sense of exploration and wonder of the natural world reaches new heights in the 12.6-ha Rainforest Wild Asia, the first zoological park in Asia to integrate adventure elements into its design. A variety of paths will cater to different expeditions, with chance sightings of animals like the Malayan tiger, Malayan sun bear and François’ langur – a species on exhibit in Singapore for the first time.

At Rainforest Wild Asia, visitors embark on a multi-layered rainforest experience, from the vibrant canopy above to the mysterious cavern below. Image is for illustrative purposes only and may not represent the final product. Photo credit: Mandai Wildlife Group

Adventure levels start with a leisurely stroll across a wheelchair-friendly boardwalk to take in the sights and sounds of nature and wildlife, to exploring forest treks, crossing over streams, boulders and fallen logs on rainforest trails. Parkgoers can also choose to embark on thrill-seeking adventures, climbing, jumping and abseiling around the park in safety harnesses while they enjoy some of the most picturesque views and unique encounters the rainforest has to offer.

The finale to the rainforest adventure is a 220-metre cavern, inhabited by cave racer snakes, scorpions, hissing cockroaches, and a variety of other reptiles and invertebrates. Featuring massive rock formations of stalactites and stalagmites, the cavern experience is inspired by the Mulu Caves in Sarawak – home to some of the largest, magnificent, and diverse limestone caves in the world.

An artistic depiction of the cavern at Rainforest Wild Asia. Image is for illustrative purposes only and may not represent the final product. Photo credit: Mandai Wildlife Group

Over at Rainforest Wild Africa, guests will experience an Afro-Tropical and Madagascar-inspired landscape with feature animals such as the Pygmy hippo and elusive Okapi, a species that will also be making its debut in Singapore. The landscape has exotic components featuring iconic trees reflecting their geographical locations, and ravine formations where animal movements are orchestrated. Guests can also enjoy the park through immersive aerial adventures.

Planet-loving experiences for all ages

Nestled in the eastern side of the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, adjacent to the resort, are two buildings dedicated to immersive indoor experiences and spaces – Exploria, Curiosity Cove, Mandai Gallery, Green Canvas and ZooSchool. Surrounding these structures are verdant green spaces and activity lawns, which offer ample space for alfresco activities, food and beverage choices and retail outlets, creating an engaging environment for play, exploration and education.

An artistic depiction of Curiosity Cove, an interactive playscape of hypernatural landscapes, designed for children to nurture a love for nature and wildlife through play and imagination. Image is for illustrative purposes only and may not represent the final product. Photo credit: Mandai Wildlife Group

Designed to be immersive edutainment using technology, visitors to Exploria will discover real-life phenomena in hyper-natural environments across five worlds through digital expeditions. From a wonder-library of microorganisms to a simulation of extreme frontiers on Earth, they are set to encounter the planet’s most resilient and fascinating species virtually. Within the same building is Green Canvas, a collaborative space that invites people from all walks of life to its 2,800sqm event space, auditorium and meeting rooms. This is where travelling exhibitions, nature-themed lifestyle events and stimulating talks will be hosted, covering a variety of topics, including those aimed at inspiring its audiences to rally around and help champion nature and wildlife conservation.

In the adjacent building are Mandai Gallery, Curiosity Cove, ZooSchool. Embark on a journey through time and delve into the history and heritage of the Mandai Wildlife Reserve with a dynamic visual experience in the Mandai Gallery, a free-access permanent exhibition. At Curiosity Cove, families will be enveloped in an indoor nature setting that is accessible for young children at a scale, pace and level of interaction that inculcates an early love for nature and wildlife through tactile play. From the woodlands where arboreal flora and fauna thrive, to the river of life in the wetlands – a series of multimedia-enriched sensory adventures encourage discovery by cultivating cognitive, social, motor and locomotor skills against an immersive indoor playscape.

Through outdoor-based discoveries and experiences set within the unique canvas of the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, ZooSchool will introduce children to nature-based outdoor adventure programmes that nurture their innate curiosity, resilience and sense of adventure. With a tailored curriculum blending outdoor and wildlife education, coupled with park visits, ZooSchool aims to instill in young minds a profound appreciation and care for the natural world.

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