Banyan Tree has officially opened its first resort in Singapore.
Set amidst the lush greenery of the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, Mandai Rainforest Resort features 338 guestrooms and suites (including 24 treehouses), two signature dining experiences, a rooftop pool with unobstructed views of the Upper Seletar Reservoir, and a Banyan Tree Spa.
A biophilic design
Spanning 11 acres, the resort was designed by WOW Architects with an emphasis on biophilia that blends architecture with its natural surroundings. Mature trees have been preserved onsite, and the resort’s elevated wings allow native wildlife to move freely beneath them.
Upon arrival, guests encounter two towering trees that anchor the property’s commitment to harmonizing with nature. A 40-foot-tall Rain Tree (Samanea saman) takes centerstage with its expansive umbrella-shaped canopy, evoking the serene atmosphere of a rainforest.
Meanwhile, an Indian Beech tree (Millettia pinnata), known for its soil-enriching properties and ability to nurture local biodiversity, stands on the other side of the entrance, symbolizing balance and sustainability.
Mandai Rainforest Resort’s lobby enhances this connection with the environment via bespoke furniture crafted from upcycled wood and organic-inspired lighting features that create a warm and welcoming ambiance.
Accommodations at Mandai Rainforest Resort
The resort comprises 24 elevated treehouses and a five-story main building with 314 rooms and suites.
The treehouses, resembling seed pods, offer a private retreat that hovers above the ground and boasts its own patio. The main building, which rises vertically through the forest layers, provides panoramic vistas of the surrounding rainforest, gardens, and nearby reservoir.
Meanwhile, the interior design concept pays homage to the rainforest’s complexity. Artwork illustrates the forest’s distinct layers—from the forest floor to the emergent canopy. Antique lithographs of native wildlife—including the lesser mousedeer, white-collared kingfisher, and grey-headed fish eagle— celebrate Singapore’s unique biodiversity.
A commitment to sustainability
Sustainability is a guiding principle throughout the resort. Rooms feature windows that fully open for natural ventilation as well as temperature regulation that mimics the rainforest’s cool atmosphere.
An interactive display is installed in each room to track energy usage, while rainwater harvesting systems provide water for flushing.
These efforts have earned the property Singapore’s first Green Mark Platinum recognition as a Super Low Energy (SLE) resort.
Additional amenities
The resort’s 300-seat Meranti Ballroom draws inspiration from the mysteries of the forest floor, with a design centered on the Bridal Veil Stinkhorn, a tropical mushroom with a striking hexagonal motif.
Furthermore, the Banyan Tree Spa features three treatment pods inspired by the Sunda pangolin, with exteriors that mimic the pangolin’s protective scales.
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