The Hotel If you have been following the news of new hotel openings in Singapore, Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree should be on your radar. I was very excited to check out the resort last month, which is located within the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, Singapore’s nature and wildlife destination that is home to the various zoological parks – Bird Paradise, Night Safari, River Wonders, Singapore Zoo, and Rainforest Wild ASIA.

To get to the parks, it is about 200m walk from the resort. Alternatively, there is also complimentary shuttle service to the nearby wildlife parks. 

If you drive, the resort’s carpark is a mere 3 minutes’ walk to the hotel’s lobby. I love the design of the resort which integrates nature into every turn and aspect. Biophilic design is at the heart of the resort’s architecture, influencing every aspect from programmes to signature amenities and services.

For one, there is no air-conditioning in the lobby or corridor as the whole space and flow is designed to consider the wind direction and cross ventilation. 

It is a spacious lobby setting with ample sofa seats, ice water and cookies as refreshments. 

I really love the landscape of the resort. So tranquil, and so peaceful to take a walk around to admire the views of nature.

The Room With 338 rooms and suites, the rooms here are designed with a view of the lush greenery or a view of the serene Upper Seletar Reservoir. It was nice to walk along the open-air corridor as I made my way to my room as it is very airy and relaxing, and I couldn’t help but notice the intricate details in the design of the building.

I checked into the Sanctuary King (36 sqm / 388 sqft) which is gorgeous. The first thing which draw my attention is the window which overlooks Upper Seletar Reservoir.

I can sit on the sofa and gaze out all day (if I have the luxury of time). 

It is a pretty open concept layout with ample space to walk around in the room, which just feels so calm. 

On both sides of the king bed are side tables and charging points, where there is also a master switch and automated switches for the curtains. 

The bathroom comes complete with double vanity sink, with a spacious standing shower zone which overlooks the reservoir.

You can choose to open up the main bathroom space or enclose it with sliding doors for privacy. 

Other than the normal rooms, there are also family-centric rooms (Family Rainforest or Family Sanctuary rooms) suited for families with young children as these rooms come with bunk beds for children. 

And of course, the most luxurious option in the resort are the treehouses which is like a stand-alone villa on its own, with a view of either the reservoir or the forest.

There are only 24 treehouses in the resort. 

The Facilities The resort’s compound is huge, and the main facilities include rooftop pool, gym, wellness centre, Banyan Tree Gallery and kids-friendly Rangers’ Club. 

My favourite is definitely the Rooftop Pool which offers stunning views of the Upper Seletar Reservoir. It is just so relaxing to soak in the water here with the view of the reservoir and greenery.

The only downside is that the beds are quite limited so I can imagine that it could be insufficient during high season. 

The Gym is right beside Banyan Spa and is decently equipped with a mix of cardio equipment, free weights, and advanced strength-training stations. Cold towels and water dispenser are also available at the gym. 

Banyan Spa itself is quite tranquil, and I managed to take a quick tour of its treatment rooms.

Other than the above, there are also two private pool facilities which are exclusive for treehouse guests.

I was lucky to be given a tour of the private pool pavilions located on the east and west wings of the resort respectively, and they are both stunning with completely different vibes. 

For those who love nature walks, the resort has a side gate where you can link directly to Mandai boardwalk which is a nice walk around the reservoir. Look out for macaques. 

The Restaurants There are two dining concepts, Planter’s Shed and Forage. 

Planter’s Shed is an all-day dining restaurant with a diverse selection of local and international cuisine featuring buffet options for breakfast and dinner, with live cooking stations and tableside service. I had breakfast here and it is a spacious and gorgeous setting.

Breakfast highlights include local delights like nasi lemak, fishball noodles, an egg station, a selection of pastries, and more. 

Forage, on the other hand, is a fine-dining restaurant which a harvest to table concept. It is a beautiful space with a view of the reservoir, and dinner service comes in the form of tasting menus. [Read more here for our full review]  

Rants While there is no club lounge, the resort distinguishes the treehouse guests by allowing exclusive access to the private pool pavilions. I also understand that treehouse guests get to enjoy breakfast at Forage instead of Planter’s Shed. 

Overall Experience Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree is easily one of the most impressive stays I have done in Singapore. It is a one of a kind eco building design which is integrated so well with nature, and the lush views from the resort in urban Singapore is just so precious and beautiful. Their rooftop pool only ranks as one of the most gorgeous hotel pools in Singapore for me after Marina Bay Sands. I think this resort is for you if you love nature and want to experience a slower pace of life in Singapore. 

Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree 
60 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729979 

For more information, check out Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree Website.

Ranted by The Ranter