Opening April 2025, Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree brings a new kind of escape to Singapore. You’ll find it within the Mandai Wildlife Reserve. Just a short drive from the city, yet worlds apart. Expect birdsong instead of traffic, forest trails over shopping malls, and treehouses rather than high-rise hotels.
It’s also Banyan Group’s first resort in Singapore. A homecoming of sorts—for a brand known for nature-led luxury.
Guests are welcomed into a forest-themed lobby where recycled wood furnishings and organic design details set the tone for a stay rooted in sustainability. In the rooms, interactive displays help guests stay mindful of their energy consumption, while encouraging gentle behaviour changes during their stay.
[All photos in this post were taken with the newly launched Xiaomi 15 Ultra]
Biophilic architecture that blends with the surroundings
Nature isn’t just outside—it’s woven into the very design. The resort was built around existing trees. Even the lobby lights mimic natural forms. Treehouses resemble seed pods from the Purple Millettia. Their curved design uses biomimicry to echo the forest canopy.
Pathways are raised to let animals pass beneath. Buildings are elevated to preserve the land. At the entrance, two ancient trees—an Indian Beech and a Rain Tree—still stand. Anchoring the space in place and time. Inside, recycled wood furniture and earth tones create a calm, grounded atmosphere.
The Accommodation – Designed for Rest, Surrounded by Green
The resort offers 338 rooms in 14 categories. But this isn’t your standard hotel block. There are 24 treehouses, each with a private patio and elevated views of the Upper Seletar Reservoir. The rooms echo the forest’s layers—floor, understorey, canopy, and sky. Subtle artwork and vintage prints show native wildlife in quiet detail. The lesser mousedeer, white-collared kingfisher, Sumatran flying dragon, and grey-headed fish eagle, offer a quiet tribute to Singapore’s natural biodiversity
Sanctuary Rooms offer a peaceful space to unwind. Each is designed with clean lines, warm wood, and natural textures. Floor-to-ceiling windows let in soft light and views of the forest, garden, or reservoir. Some rooms come with balconies; others open to nature through wide, operable windows. Interiors are pared-back and calm—just the essentials, done well. There’s a king-size bed or twin setup, a spacious bathroom, and thoughtful touches that reflect the rainforest beyond. Simple, soothing, and quietly connected to the landscape.
Other rooms include family options with bunk beds and generous suites with separate living areas. Every room is naturally ventilated, with windows that open wide to the forest air. Energy use is tracked in-room. You’ll get nudges if you go over.
Public corridors are not air conditioned and rainwater is reused for flushing. The whole resort is Super Low Energy (SLE) certified.
The 44sqm Family Sanctuary is designed for comfort and ease. A king-size bed anchors the space. A built-in bunk bed gives kids their own corner. Large windows open to garden or forest views. The room feels warm, simple and calm. Interiors use natural tones and clean lines. There’s space to rest, recharge and be together. It’s a quiet retreat after a day out in the wild.
The Treehouse
The resort’s 24 treehouses sit lightly above the forest floor, shaped like seed pods and designed to blend into the canopy. Each one is elevated, quiet, and private—with a patio that opens to views of the trees or reservoir. Inspired by nature and built around it, the treehouses offer a peaceful retreat for adults looking to disconnect. Inside, the space is simple, warm and natural—just enough, and nothing more. It’s a stay that invites stillness.
Dining in Nature’s Embrace
There are two main restaurants: Forage and Planter’s Shed. Forage, the resort’s signature restaurant, sits quietly by the edge of the Upper Seletar Reservoir. Its menu is a gentle exercise in trust—there’s no traditional à la carte, just a “Trust the Chef” experience that shifts with the day’s harvest.
Many of the ingredients are sourced from the resort’s own rooftop edible garden, while others are foraged locally or procured from nearby growers. It’s refined, yes—but not fussy. The setting is serene, the service unhurried, and the cuisine quietly confident, designed to spotlight ingredients at their peak.
Planter’s Shed offers all-day dining. Breakfast and dinner buffets feature local and international dishes. Live stations and roving trolleys add theatre. At lunch, it’s à la carte. Every meal is a conversation with the land.
Pools with a View of Nature
There’s a rooftop pool with panoramic views of the reservoir. Swim at dawn or dusk and you might just spot hornbills overhead. It’s designed to feel open and tranquil—no loud music, just the sounds of nature around you.
Treehouse guests enjoy access to a private pool that is too beautiful to swim in.
Banyan Tree Spa and Gallery
Wellness and wonder come together at Mandai Rainforest Resort. The Banyan Tree Spa is a highlight, with three intimate treatment pods inspired by the keratin scales of the Sunda pangolin. Inside, you’ll find traditional therapies that draw on local herbs and spices—think ginger-infused wraps, turmeric scrubs, and aromatic oil massages designed to soothe both body and mind.
Tucked within the resort is the Banyan Tree Gallery, a thoughtfully curated retail space that reflects the spirit of place. Here, guests can browse a collection of locally inspired merchandise—ranging from handcrafted homeware and wellness products to sustainable fashion and artisanal keepsakes. Each item tells a story, whether it’s rooted in Singapore’s natural heritage or crafted in collaboration with regional makers. It’s more than a souvenir shop—it’s a continuation of the resort’s ethos: to connect meaningfully with the destination while supporting community and craft.
Events for up to 300 guests at the Meranti Ballroom
Events are elevated too. The Meranti Ballroom accommodates up to 300 guests and offers a lush, rainforest-inspired backdrop for weddings, corporate retreats or celebrations. Its centrepiece chandelier, designed to resemble the delicate veil of a tropical mushroom, creates an atmosphere that’s both dramatic and grounded in nature.
The Bridal Room sits next to the Meranti Ballroom. It offers easy access, quiet prep space, and privacy—just steps from the celebration.
Ranger’s Club for the kids
The Rangers’ Club offers workshops and hands-on activities that share ideas around sustainable living, nature, and wildlife appreciation. Leave your kids here while you head to the spa or pool for some much needed me time.
Guests can expect more than just a room with a view. A stay at the resort unlocks priority access to Mandai’s wildlife parks, along with preferred rates for park admission and curated experiences. These include the early morning Wild Walk, where guests explore the parks at their quietest and most active, and the Wild ZooDay Camp—a hands-on nature programme designed for curious young explorers.
Opening offers and exclusive packages will be announced via the resort’s official website. Those keen to be first through the forest doors would do well to keep an eye out.
