April 2 marked the official opening of The Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree and there couldn’t have been a better address for the homegrown Group’s 100th resort than at the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, a world-leading nature and wildlife destination.
Drawing from Banyan Group’s legacy of honouring the essence of each location, the 338-room Mandai Rainforest Resort blends seamlessly with its natural surroundings, boasting a unique nature-inspired luxury destination, with rooms nestled in lush greenery or overlooking the Upper Seletar Reservoir. If you’re an animal and nature lover like me, this sanctuary-in-nature quickly ticks a lot of boxes, especially if you’re pining for a truly tranquil break a short drive away and without the hassle of air travel, offering guests direct access to Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Wonders, Bird Paradise, and the brand-new Rainforest Wild Asia.
Every element of the resort, from the architecture to the interiors, have been thoughtfully designed to harmonise with the environment, with every room also fitted with a special energy meter and an interactive display to show power consumption levels and offer gentle reminders when usage exceeds recommended levels, promoting eco-friendly practices, and encouraging guests to join in thoughtful sustainability efforts, fostering a lighter environmental footprint throughout their stay.
Rooms are designed with sustainability in mind, aiming to mirror the cool temperatures of rainforests and minimise energy consumption; rainwater is collected and repurposed for the flushing system in every room; and each room is also equipped with a water filtration machine for filling the reusable non-plastic bottles provided. Not surprisingly, the resort has already bagged the only BCA Green Mark Award Platinum Super Low Energy for new non-residential buildings in Singapore.
(Related: Sustainability in action - AIR CCCC)
Grand Mandai Treehouse
Biophilic design is at the heart of the resort’s architecture, influencing everything from its programmes to signature amenities and services. Keeping its verdant location in mind, the unique layers of the rainforest from the forest floor to the canopy are reflected in the room designs, showcasing nature’s rich biodiversity. In particular, the Treehouses overlooking the Upper Seletar Reservoir have been specially designed to resemble the seed pods of the Purple Millettia (Callerya atropurpurea), while the meeting rooms flank a matted ceiling design to mimic tree canopies.
Despite its proximity to the zoo and other parks, the first thing that struck me upon arriving at the resort is the incredible peace and serenity, immediately making you forget that you’re still in Singapore. The lobby’s open air structure and the surrounding natural greenery are complemented by a constant cool breeze that does away with any need for air-conditioning, and is only accentuated with rain and more sweeping winds. The expansive lobby was built around the existing trees, incorporating them into the design, rather than tearing down trees to make space for concrete structures. It’s almost as though you’re transported into another dimension, a specially cocooned city on its own, where time and traffic don’t exist.
(Related: Paradise found at Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape)
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Family Retreat Room
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Sanctuary Suite
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Highlights of the resort include the 24 tranquil, specially-designed 63 sqm treehouses for couples, each with a private patio and an advanced motion system to enjoy the animals in their natural habitat safely, as well as signature Banyan Tree amenities; the 44 sqm family rooms inclusive of a bunk bed with views of the rainforest, gardens or Upper Seletar Reservoir, each decorated with a unique hand painted wall that reflects the view from the window; and the 36 sqm Sanctuary Twin decked with two double size beds and nature-inspired decor, for a cosy and peaceful retreat.
Guests staying in the Treehouses have exclusive access to two smaller pools, one on the west side and a bird's nest-shaped pool on the east side with an egg-shaped opening. For other guests, the rooftop infinity pool is a beautiful space, with its unobstructed views of the Upper Seletar Reservoir (albeit perhaps quick to get full and very busy on a sunny day especially with lots of children). The resort is also home to a kids-friendly Rangers' Club, a fully-equipped gym, and the award-winning Banyan Tree Spa with invigorating spa and signature treatments to restore both mind and body.
(Related: Umana Bali is a luxurious sanctuary between sea and sky)
Planter's Shed
The resort also offers two different dining experiences, namely Forage and Planter’s Shed, as well as in-villa dining. The all-day dining restaurant, Planter’s Shed, features local and international cuisine with buffet options for breakfast and dinner, and an à la carte menu for lunch. Meanwhile, Forage is the resort’s specialty restaurant overlooking the tranquil reservoir, with a ‘Trust the Chef’ menu featuring fresh, daily-sourced ingredients, including produce from the resort’s rooftop edible garden.
With convenient and easy access to Singapore’s famed zoological parks literally at the foot of the resort, guests can take full advantage of the different nature and wildlife experiences during their stay, with the property's specially curated Stay Packages. Start the day with ‘Breakfast in the Wild’ at Singapore zoo, meet Giant Pandas at River Wonders in the afternoon, and finish with discovering the wild after dark with a Wilderness Walk at the Night Safari. Staying at The Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree for a couple of nights is a real no-brainer, especially if you have kids in tow.
Finally, bring home a meaningful keepsake from the Banyan Tree Gallery. In particular, the signature spearmint-scented amenities are unique to The Mandai Rainforest Resort, once again paying homage to the brand new resort’s green and nature-led location.
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