Our Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree review takes you on an in-depth tour of this unique Singapore getaway retreat.
Singapore has never seen anything quite like the Mandai Rainforest Retreat by Banyan Tree. Offering a unique opportunity to escape the urban buzz and immerse yourself in nature, this new resort is a breath of fresh air on the Singapore hotel scene.
But is it worth the hype? Is it family-friendly? And what are those weird shaped buildings all about? We check in to find out!
From the moment I enter the lobby I can feel that this is not like anywhere else in Singapore. I am immediately enveloped by nature, with the natural flow of air and sounds of the rainforest. Even the ‘chandeliers’ consist of flowing greenery.
Building a sustainable resort in the heart of the rainforest is no mean feat. Biophilic design is at the heart of the resort’s architecture, with corridors forming natural wind tunnels and the merging of indoors and outdoors through greenery and light flow.
Built with a zero-waste approach, local trees that were cleared for construction are repurposed into furniture, coat hangers and waste baskets throughout the property. A 15-meter corridor of untouched rainforest remains, separating the resort from the reservoir.
Sustainability is at the core of the resort. It is the first resort in Singapore to achieve the Green Mark Super Low Energy (SLE) certification.
Rainwater is collected and repurposed for in-room flushing, there are 311 solar panels on the rooftop, and guests can even monitor their own power consumption in their rooms using the Interactive Energy Displays.
It’s all very impressive, but enough of the technicalities. I’m here to explore the resort.
Click here to check prices and availability for Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree.
Note: I was a guest of Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree for the purpose of writing this review. All opinions, however, are honest and my own. This article contains affiliate links. If you make a booking using one of these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Reasons to love the resort
- It offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Singapore’s nature.
- The Singapore Zoo and Night Safari are just a 10-minute walk from the resort.
- The spa is one of the best in town.
- You will leave feeling a lot more relaxed than when you arrived.
Hotel Location
The resort is located within the 126-hectare Mandai Wildlife Reserve, and offers easy access to Singapore’s top wildlife parks.
The Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and River Wonders are just a 10-minute walk from the hotel via a covered walkway, while Rainforest Wild Asia and Bird Paradise are easily reached by free shuttle bus.
A taxi from the city should take around 30 minutes and cost around $20-30, depending on the time of day and traffic.
Click here to check prices and availability for Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree.
Rooms at Mandai Rainforest Resort
There are 338 rooms in the resort, featuring a variety of room categories, from standard rooms and suites to family rooms with bunk beds. The resort’s most famous feature is its treehouse suites (seen in the photo above). More on these later.
My room is a Sanctuary King room, a spacious and tranquil retreat on the fourth floor, with calming views over the reservoir.
The natural stone, earthy tones and wood panelling mirror the rainforest outside and the mural of local flora and fauna helps bring the outdoors inside.
My favourite spot in the room is the lounging area. I’m not usually one to spend much time in my hotel room, preferring to be out and about and on the move.
Here, however, I am happy to allow myself to slow down and soak in the natural beauty of my surroundings.
Insect screens mean I can slide back the doors to invite the sound of cicadas to fill the room, and fully immerse myself in nature.
Even my shower has floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the reservoir, making me feel I’m immersed in the rainforest at all times.
I also have the opportunity to check out some other room categories while I’m here. Families with younger kids will love the Family Rooms, complete with bunk beds. These offer queen-size bunks with a cozy reading nook down below.
But the piece de resistance is the unique treehouse suites. These luxurious hideaways are as insta-worthy on the inside as they are on the out.
Designed to resemble a seed pod on the outside, they offer spacious and luxurious interiors, and a real sense of privacy and exclusivity.
The bathrooms are sizeable with large deep-soaking tubs and rainforest showers. The treehouse suites also offer private balconies on which to chill and soak in your surroundings.
Click here to check prices and availability for Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree.
Hotel Facilities
My favourite place in the hotel has to be the rooftop swimming pool. Offering expansive views over the reservoir, it’s the ideal place to cool off and chill out after a hot morning exploring the nearby wildlife parks.
There’s a shallow zone for kids to splash in, loungers to chill out on and a lap pool for more serious swimmers. You can also order poolside refreshments via QR code.
Two smaller pools offer a private and exclusive retreat for guests of the Treehouses only. Their design, inspired by a warbler’s birdsnest, make them a popular hangout with the influencer crowd.
If you’re looking to exercise, you’ll find a fully equipped gym on site too.
I’ve worked up enough of a sweat walking around the Singapore Zoo and Rainforest Wild Asia, but I do book into a pilates class. It’s a gentle and relaxing class and the perfect way to wind down and refresh before dinner.
I try to book into the spa, but unfortunately, it is fully booked. I can see why. I am obsessed by the pangolin-inspired spa pods and they are even more dreamy on the inside – what a spot to unwind and enjoy some pampering!
Banyan Tree is world-renowned for its holistic spa treatments inspired by Asian cultural practices, and so I recommend booking ahead if you don’t want to miss out.
I’m not travelling with my kids, and they are now too old for kids’ clubs anyway. However, those with kids will definitely want to check out the Ranger’s Club.
Designed for kids aged 4 – 11, this bright and colourful kids zone has indoor and outdoor play areas, with a well-stocked library and games selection. It’s the perfect place to drop the kids, while you head to one of those spa pods for a massage!
Click here to check prices and availability for Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree.
Food & Drink
There’s a choice of two restaurants at the Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree: Planter’s Shed and Forage.
Planter’s Shed is an all-day dining restaurant, offering buffet breakfast and dinner, and an a la carte lunch.
There’s something for everyone on the breakfast buffet – including donuts, chocolate fondue and ice cream for any lucky kids and champagne for the parents to cope with the ensueing sugar rush!
Come dinner time, you’ll find a good range of Western and Asian dishes, meaning you should be able to find something to suit everyone in the family. I hear kids celebrating the discovery of Mac & Cheese, while I’m making a beeline for the satay.
I also hear one little girl expressing her disappointment that there is chilli in the aglio olio, so the chef offers to make her one without. Nice touch!
The lunchtime a la carte menu also covers a range of Asian and Western classics. I opt for the Nasi Goreng Kampung and am not disappointed.
Forage, the resort’s specialty restaurant, overlooks the reservoir and is open for breakfast (Treehouse guests only), lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.
I head here early in the evening for dinner. Arriving prior to sunset allows me to fully appreciate the surroundings before night falls.
Forage offers a ‘trust the chef’ seasonal harvest-to-table menu, available in 5 or 8 courses. I opt for the 8-course Experience Menu with paired wines and I am treated to a spectacular succession of dishes.
As the menu focuses on a harvest-to-table approach, each dish comes with an explanation of the origin of the ingredients, including some that come from the hotel’s rooftop edible garden.
Chef Marcus Tan even takes the time to greet all guests after service and seek feedback for his menu.
My only disappointment is that there is currently no hotel bar at the Mandai Rainforest Resort. You can order drinks to be delivered either poolside or on the rooftop lounging areas during the day. But in the evening, your only option is to sit near the bar area of Planter’s Shed.
I’d love to see an alfresco nook where you can enjoy a pre or post dinner drink and soak in the rainforest vibe.
If you’re looking for more casual dining options, you’ll find Mandai’s Dining Alley a short walk from the hotel, with options such as sushi, noodles and pizza.
Click here to check prices and availability for Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree.
The Verdict
Mandai Rainforest Retreat by Banyan Tree offers something truly unique in Singapore – the opportunity to immerse yourself in nature.
I see the resort appealing to two particular groups. It’s perfect for families looking for an easy and relaxed way to visit the Singapore Zoo and other wildlife parks. The swimming pool, kids club and family rooms all point to a fun family getaway.
However, it would also be equally appealing to couples seeking a secluded escape. A weekend of hanging out in your treehouse, with trips to the insta-worthy swimming pool, world renowned spa and fine-dining Forage? Yes please!