Designed to be part of the surrounding lush rainforest of the Mandai area, the new Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree is a homecoming of sorts for the Banyan Tree brand. In collaboration with Mandai Wildlife Reserve, the two ubiquitous Singaporean brands have come together to create a resort that upholds its sustainability practices while giving visitors a luxurious experience up close with Singapore’s natural environment – a rarity in the dense urban city.
The resort features a total of 338 rooms and suites, including engaging family suites with an elevated Queen- and King-sized bed, and 24 elevated treehouses with unique, floor-to-ceiling open balconies that allow you to feel that much closer to the surrounding ancient trees. The resort’s undulating design resulted in many trees being preserved (while those that had to be cut down were repurposed into furniture or amenities). In between the resort’s property line and the reservoir, it is often possible to see glimpses of Singapore’s natural wildlife such as wild boards or Sumba deer.
The design of the resort also means open passageways that allow for natural cooling and air. Rooms feature bladeless fans and balconies that open out into nature and where air feels decidedly cooler than in the city. The top floor rooftop pool and walkways are equally breezy and a great place for a panoramic view of the whole area. Solar panels, rainwater harvesting systems and local produce used in restaurants, in particular Forage, demonstrate the brand’s commitment to minimising waste.
The resort also offers plenty of animal education opportunities that complement the wildlife parks. Some stay packages will even include tickets and special experiences within the parks. At the resort, activities such as birdwatching, animal diversity workshops and nature walks are some of the simple ways guests can relax and experience some of Singapore’s unique natural environments.
