Cover The Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree's private pool for Treehouse guests
The Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree's private pool for Treehouse guests
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The Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree isn’t a hotel adjacent to attractions—it’s a pioneering integration of Asian cultures and biodiversity, wildlife and conservation, holistic wellness, and a global standard for mindful yet luxurious hospitality
As a Singaporean, if someone asked me a year ago if I'd be able to drive to a five-star resort where I could watch the sunrise from a private pool nestled in what looks like a giant bird's nest, spend my afternoons getting world-class spa treatments and traipsing some of the world's finest zoological parks, then satisfy almost every craving at dinner before gazing at the stars right from my balcony—I'd tell them, "I wish".
That was before the Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree opened—and that's exactly everything I experienced, and so much more.
A pleasantly surprising escapade for locals, and a uniquely Singaporean one for tourists, this Banyan Tree doesn't just transport one to a tropical oasis with the best of modern-day luxuries and Southeast Asian hospitality, but immerses you in nature with a concept that ticks all boxes: wildlife, conservation, sustainability and serenity.
Above A bird's eye sunset view of the Treehouses—tropical oases with the best of modern-day luxuries and Southeast Asian hospitality that let you live in nature
Above Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree's open-air lobby invites the outdoors in, featuring elements of nature that are woven into the undulating curves and nature-respecting design by Wow Architects
A bird's eye sunset view of the Treehouses—tropical oases with the best of modern-day luxuries and Southeast Asian hospitality that let you live in nature
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The art of serenity
This marks Banyan Tree Group's homecoming—their inaugural Singapore property—and what a magnificent debut it is.
Known globally for pioneering luxury hospitality that honours local culture and environment, Banyan Tree has created something truly exceptional in the North-West enclave of our little red dot—where wilderness and refinement coexist in what truly feels like perfect harmony.
Upon arriving at the 338-room resort, which is nestled in the northernmost corner of the 126-hectare Mandai Wildlife Reserve, I was instantly transported to a balmy tropical paradise. The open-air lobby greets guests with flourishing greenery and lofty elements of nature that are woven into the undulating curves and nature-respecting design—an early taste of award-winning Wow Architects’ masterpiece: an apex of biophilic design, where every architectural element intertwines seamlessly with the existing rainforest ecosystem rather than dominate it.
The resort wings hover elegantly above ground to allow native wildlife free passage underneath, while mature trees that were carefully preserved are incorporated into the design narrative. The accommodations themselves are the perfect blend of tropical, luxurious and tranquil. The 24 treehouses—their rendition of villas here—are inspired by the protective seed pods of the Purple Millettia, offering an almost otherworldly experience of floating above the forest canopy with private patios that feel like personal observation decks into nature's theatre. Meanwhile, the suites in the five-storey main building rise through the forest's layers, offering serene sights and sounds of both the reservoir and verdant rainforest. Considering this property is just 15-minutes away from my own home, where I face the “lower” side of the same reservoir, it’s still almost unbelievable that such an idyllic getaway is just around the corner.
All 24 Treehouses—their rendition of villas here—are inspired by the protective seed pods of the Purple Millettia and float above the forest canopy
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One with the wild
Oh, but list of features go on at the Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree. Each room celebrates the forest's complexity through carefully curated artwork depicting the ecosystem's various strata, while antique lithographs of native wildlife—from the tiny mouse deer to the grey-headed fish eagle—create an intimate connection to Singapore's natural heritage. Just like Banyan Tree’s other properties around the globe, the sustainability credentials here are equally impressive: rooms are naturally ventilated, ambient room temperatures mirror the favourable atmosphere of tropical rainforests, and rainwater is repurposed for the flushing systems. Beyond that, rooms are equipped with an interactive display that shows power consumption levels, and offers reminders when usage exceeds recommended levels.
And then, there are the pools. I’m the type of guest that likes to either wake up to catch the sunrise or luxuriate in a body of water at sunset—and this property gave me breathtaking options for both. Lined with pristine white pool loungers, the rooftop infinity pool is accessible to all guests and offers a panoramic perspective of the facing forest. Then there are smaller private pools for Treehouse guests, one being a circular oasis nestled in a bird’s nest-designed structure—that’s where I caught the most spectacular sunrise at 7am, with the golden sun first peeking through then rising above the forest canopy.
Above Be prepared for "8 Pillars of Wellbeing" at the Banyan Tree Spa at the Mandai Rainforest Resort, where centuries-old Asian wellness traditions meet the tranquillity of treetops
Above The Banyan Tree Spa's biophilic atmosphere transports you into a tropical enclave, the perfect setting to savour their transformative wellness experiences that celebrate ancient Asian cultural practices and the healing powers of natural ingredients
Be prepared for "8 Pillars of Wellbeing" at the Banyan Tree Spa at the Mandai Rainforest Resort, where centuries-old Asian wellness traditions meet the tranquillity of treetops
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A holistic escapade
The crown jewel, especially so for wellness seekers like myself, is the iconic Banyan Tree Spa—reimagined for this forest setting. Its three treatment pods, inspired by the protective keratin scales of the Sunda pangolin, create intimate sanctuaries where centuries-old Asian wellness traditions meet the tranquillity of treetops. The spa pavilions seem to also grow organically from their surroundings, offering guests various peaceful environs to savour award-winning Banyan Tree spa rituals.
World renowned for their transformative wellness experiences that celebrate ancient Asian cultural practices, the Banyan Tree Spa has multiple hallmarks that I, as an ex-beauty editor, can vouch for. First off is how they’ve taken notes from Asia’s time-honoured massage techniques, and harness the healing powers of natural herbs, spices and aromatic oils that soothe, pamper or rejuvenate—the choice is yours—from scalp to toe. Then there is, of course, the deftly skilled therapists, whose warm hands knead out knots and melt away muscle tension like effortless magicians, intuitively knowing exactly where the root of certain aches or strains are, and where extra attention is needed.
Each spa experience here is designed with the brand’s “8 Pillars of Wellbeing” philosophy in mind, focusing on everything from mindfulness and growth, to nourishment and movement. I received a personalised deep tissue bodywork massage that first zoomed in on all my stressed points before long, deeply calming strokes aided by a personalised blend of Asian herbal remedy oils nourished my skin and essentially, smoothed all my cares away. The moment that resting bell was beautifully rung to signal the end of my treatment, I knew I’d have to come back again for more—next for the Royal Banyan signature treatment, that treats tired souls to a coriander cucumber cleanse; a muscle-relaxing, blood circulation-boosting massage with a warm herbal pouch; and a jade face massage.
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Lined with pristine white pool loungers, the rooftop infinity pool is accessible to all guests and offers a panoramic perspective of the facing forest
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A feast for the senses
Beyond Banyan Tree's unparalleled wellness and resort-style hospitality, another hallmark of the brand is gastronomy. I still remember the Sunday brunch from my first ever Banyan Tree stay in Phuket when I was 16-years-old—that decadent spread had me tucking into spicy-tangy tom yum goong and caviar-topped blinis for hours.
The beeline I made this time, was for the breakfast buffet at Planter’s Shed. This all-day dining restaurant features fresh seafood and live cooking stations, roving tableside service, elevated local favourites alongside intercontinental highlights that change with the seasons, and treats for every sweet tooth, from the health-conscious type to the utterly indulgent. And of course, there’s a particularly noteworthy Banyan Tree signature that I couldn’t savour back then in my teens—free-flow champagne.
The second culinary experience at the Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree is Forage, their refined dining restaurant that serves up a “Trust the Chef” menu of dishes crafted around the hyperlocal ingredients freshly picked from the resort’s rooftop edible garden daily. Each innovative dish is mindfully crafted with Southeast Asian flavours and Singapore’s natural bounty in mind. Stay tuned for our dining team’s review of that feast very soon.
Above Planter's Shed, the all-day dining restaurant that features fresh seafood and live cooking stations, elevated local favourites alongside intercontinental highlights
Above Forage, the refined dining restaurant with a "Trust the Chef" menu of dishes crafted around the hyperlocal ingredients freshly picked from the resort’s rooftop edible garden daily
Planter's Shed, the all-day dining restaurant that features fresh seafood and live cooking stations, elevated local favourites alongside intercontinental highlights
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Five parks, one paradise
As if everything on-property isn’t reason enough for one to want to book a vacation—or staycation—at the Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree, there’s one more huge factor that sets this property apart: its seamless integration with the Mandai Wildlife Reserve's five zoological parks. As an editor, I’ve had the pleasure of travelling the world to exciting destinations and luxury locales, but the integration and diversity of fun, meaningful experiences centred around nature and wildlife are on a whole other level.
Just around the corner from all the parks, resort guests can easily access experiences that would make any nature enthusiast swoon: early morning discovery walks at Bird Paradise when the avian residents are at their most active; immersive adventures through Rainforest Wild Asia; getting to meet giant pandas at River Wonders; and intimate Keeper or Ranger Talks that offer unprecedented backstage access to the parks' conservation work. My experience included the best seats in the house at the Creatures of the Night show at the Night Safari, and Breakfast in the Wild at Singapore Zoo, where I savoured yet another expansive buffet of Asian and Western delights while zookeepers brought out different animals for interactive show and tell segments. Did I mention I also got to feed a rhinoceros a tonne of bok choy under a full moon? You honestly can’t top that.
Above Guests of the Mandai Rainforest Resort can easily access inspiring wildlife and conservation experiences at all five zoological parks around the corner: Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Safari, Bird Paradise and the new Rainforest Wild Asia
Far more than your traditional tourist excursions—these days out also comprise thoughtfully curated experiences that deepen one's understanding of wildlife conservation while creating memories that last a lifetime. With every enclosure, exhibit or segment of their animal shows in each park, the Mandai Wildlife Reserve makes it a point to highlight and emphasise both the human and environmental risks each species faces today, and how we can do our part to help or raise awareness. Besides education and a whole lot of fun, it was also refreshing to be re-introduced to how organised, clean and bustling with healthy animals our parks are, as a Singaporean whose core memories of the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari are from my days on school excursions.
Call it local pride or simply a well-deserved review that I could go on and on writing, but the Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree is well worth a visit—and so much more. The property, and its seamless integration to the land it sits on, is a love letter to the country’s biodiversity. It creatively bridges urban luxury with exciting natural heritage and heartfelt hospitality, proving that our little red dot can offer just as diverse, eye-opening experiences as any exotic destination. I realise it now—it’s a homecoming that we, too, never knew we needed.
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