Banyan Group has marked a major milestone with the grand opening of Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree — its 100th global property and first in Singapore. Located within the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, the new resort reinforces the Group’s commitment to nature-led, regenerative hospitality and strengthens Singapore’s position as a global leader in sustainable travel.
“As we mark our 100th hotel with our first in Singapore, Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree represents a deeply meaningful homecoming. It brings together our legacy of design-led hospitality with our commitment to stewardship and shared impact. Here, guests are invited to slow down, reconnect with nature, and experience travel as a force that uplifts people, places, and communities. As the first resort within a world-leading wildlife and nature destination in a capital city, it offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect with nature and enjoy meaningful wildlife experiences right at their doorstep — a powerful expression of Singapore’s City in Nature vision,” said Eddy See, President and CEO, Banyan Group.
“For over a decade, we have been transforming the Mandai Wildlife Reserve into a world-leading wildlife and nature destination, where our parks offer windows into the wild and public spaces create new ways to enjoy the outdoors. With extensive experiences beyond immersive wildlife encounters across our 126-hectare precinct, accommodation is a key part of the journey,” said Bennett Neo, Group CEO, Mandai Wildlife Group. “Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree is an important addition that allows guests to stay longer, explore at their own pace, and fully enjoy everything that the precinct has to offer. More than a place to stay, it is an immersion in nature and a rare opportunity to connect with it in a city-state.”
A Resort Immersed in the Rainforest
Set within 4.6 hectares of lush greenery, Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree brings biophilic design to the heart of Singapore. Elevated architecture preserves the site’s natural terrain, while mature trees have been carefully retained, including a 12-meter Rain Tree (Samanea saman) and an Indian Beech tree (Millettia pinnata) framing the arrival experience.
Rising through the layers of the forest, the resort features elevated treehouses designed to resemble the seed pods of the Purple Millettia (Adinobotrys atropurpureus). Suspended among the canopy, they allow vegetation to thrive naturally beneath and offer views across the Upper Seletar Reservoir. The adjacent five-storey resort building houses guestrooms and suites that rise vertically through the forestscape with views of the rainforest, gardens, and reservoir.
Inside the rooms, the design celebrates the forest’s complexity through artwork by Singaporean artist Donna Ong, depicting the forest floor, understorey, canopy, and emergent layers. Antique lithographs of native wildlife, including the lesser mousedeer, white-collared kingfisher, Sumatran flying dragon, and grey-headed fish eagle, highlight the biodiversity of Singapore. Rooms are designed with sustainability in mind, featuring full-length windows for natural ventilation and ambient temperatures calibrated to mirror the cool atmosphere of tropical rainforests. Each room includes an interactive display that monitors power usage and provides gentle reminders when consumption increases. Rainwater is harvested and repurposed for flushing, supporting the resort’s achievement as Singapore’s first Green Mark Platinum Super Low Energy (SLE) certified resort.
Dining, Wellbeing and Celebrations in Nature
Forage, the resort’s signature restaurant, offers spectacular views of the Upper Seletar Reservoir and features a Harvest-to-Table concept using ingredients sourced from the rooftop edible garden and local sustainable producers. Guests can explore the garden and discover native herbs and plants used in the menu. The restaurant also offers some of the best sunset views in the precinct, with access to an observation deck and bird-watching point where more than 30 species have been recorded.
The restaurant’s palette is inspired by the rainforest and enriched with natural textures. As the first restaurant set within a rainforest in Singapore, Forage deepens diners’ connection to nature through locally foraged ingredients and preparation techniques rooted in the rhythms of the ecosystem. Sustainability remains central, with a commitment to minimal environmental impact.
On the rooftop, guests can enjoy the pool’s unobstructed views over Upper Seletar Reservoir. The Discovery Forest transforms built space into a living green environment, while the Edible Garden grows more than 15 native herbs, including butterfly pea, torch ginger, roselle, pandan, lemongrass, and asam gelugor.
Nature-Inspired Experiences for All Ages
The resort playground brings rainforest play to life with structures inspired by cannonball fruits, buttress roots, and rainforest leaves. Rooted in biophilia and integrated into the landscape, it invites children to climb, explore, and be immersed in nature-led play.
The centrepiece is a Cannonball Fruit structure sculpted in Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete by Italian artist Maximilian, with climbing elements that recreate the experience of moving from fruit to fruit in the wild. The Buttress Root structure, featuring climbing grips and a built-in slide, promotes exploration and adventure, while leaf springers and a giant netted leaf structure encourage movement and creativity.
Guests staying at the resort enjoy easy access to wildlife parks and attractions within the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, including Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Wonders, Rainforest Wild Asia, Bird Paradise, and the newly opened Curiosity Cove — a 4,600 sqm indoor nature-inspired playscape. Resort guests also unlock special rates for park entry and signature programmes, along with family-friendly and age-inclusive experiences such as the Wild Zoo Day Camp, wellbeing activities, and immersive wildlife encounters.
