Singapore has welcomed a new icon of sustainable, design-led hospitality with the opening of the Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree—a milestone that marks Banyan Group’s 100th property worldwide and its first-ever hotel on home ground. Developed in collaboration with Mandai Wildlife Group, the resort is set within the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, making it Banyan Tree’s first property located inside a world-renowned wildlife and nature precinct at the heart of a major capital city.
A Significant Milestone for Banyan Group
Banyan Group President and CEO Eddy See described the opening as a meaningful homecoming for a brand born in Asia and globally recognised for its nature-inspired luxury. The Mandai Rainforest Resort, he said, reflects both Banyan Tree’s heritage of design excellence and its dedication to responsible stewardship.
He added that the resort aligns seamlessly with Singapore’s “City in Nature” vision, offering travellers a rare opportunity to reconnect with forests, wildlife and ecological richness—without leaving the city.
Mandai Wildlife Group CEO Bennett Neo noted that the resort completes a decade-long transformation of the 126-hectare Mandai Wildlife Reserve. By adding thoughtfully designed accommodation to the precinct’s portfolio of wildlife parks, the resort encourages longer stays and deeper engagement with Singapore’s natural heritage.
A Resort Immersed in the Rainforest
Spread across 4.6 hectares of lush greenery, the Mandai Rainforest Resort blends biophilic design with low-impact construction. Elevated structures hug the contours of the natural terrain, while mature trees—such as a striking 12-metre Rain Tree—welcome guests on arrival.
One of the resort’s most distinctive features is its collection of elevated treehouses, inspired by the seed pods of the Purple Millettia. Rising above the canopy and overlooking the Upper Seletar Reservoir, they offer both sweeping views and undisturbed understorey regrowth.
The resort’s main five-storey building houses a range of guestrooms and suites designed to amplify the sensory experience of rainforest living. Interior spaces feature commissioned artwork by Singaporean artist Donna Ong, alongside vintage lithographs depicting native fauna to celebrate the region’s ecological heritage.
A Showcase of Sustainable Design
Sustainability forms the backbone of the resort’s architectural and operational ethos. Key features include:
- Full-length windows enabling natural airflow
- Ambient cooling systems that replicate rainforest temperatures
- Real-time energy-use displays for guest awareness
- Rainwater harvesting for flushing and landscape use
These innovations have earned the resort the distinction of becoming Singapore’s first Green Mark Platinum Super Low Energy certified resort—a benchmark achievement in environmentally conscious hospitality.
Dining, Wellness and Events Rooted in Nature
The resort’s signature restaurant, Forage, fronts panoramic reservoir views and champions a Harvest-to-Table approach. Ingredients are sourced from its rooftop edible garden and local producers, creating menus deeply connected to place. The adjacent observation deck doubles as a birdwatching hotspot, with more than 30 species recorded.
The rooftop also features:
- An infinity pool overlooking the reservoir
- A Discovery Forest replicating Southeast Asian forest typologies
- An edible garden cultivating native herbs including Roselle, Torch Ginger and Pandan
The Meranti Ballroom offers a naturally lit venue for events, inspired by the rare Bridal Veil Stinkhorn mushroom. Meanwhile, the Banyan Tree Spa features open-air treatment pavilions nestled in greenery, including three pod-style rooms modelled after the scales of the Sunda pangolin.
Family-Friendly Nature Experiences
Designed with families in mind, the resort’s sculptural rainforest-themed playground brings the forest story to life through interactive, multisensory design. The structures—shaped like buttress roots, cannonball tree fruit and giant leaves—encourage imaginative play and exploration.
A stay at the Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree provides seamless access to all attractions within the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, including:
- Singapore Zoo
- Night Safari
- River Wonders
- Bird Paradise
- Rainforest Wild Asia
- The newly launched Curiosity Cove indoor playscape
Guests can enjoy curated programmes, special stay rates, and nature-focused activities such as Wild Zoo Day Camps and wellness-led experiences.
A New Benchmark for Urban Wildlife Hospitality
With its blend of thoughtful design, sustainability leadership and immersive nature experiences, the Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree sets a new standard for eco-luxury hospitality in an urban setting. It represents not just a major chapter in Banyan Tree’s brand journey, but also a pioneering example of how cities can integrate conservation, tourism and wellbeing.
The resort positions Singapore—and the Mandai Wildlife Reserve—as a global model for regenerative, nature-forward travel, offering guests a restorative retreat within the rhythms of the rainforest.
