Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree
When we think of nature getaways, the urban city of Singapore doesn’t typically come to mind. In fact, we Singaporeans usually flock to nearby destinations like Indonesia or Malaysia for a taste of jungle livin’ – an escape from the hustle and bustle of life that we’re so used to here.
But come April this year, you’ll no longer need to cross borders for an escape from the city. Following a slew of exciting openings like Rainforest Wild ASIA, Mandai is officially opening their much hyped-about Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree next month, and trust us, it’s giving major Bali vibes.
From gorg treehouse rooms overlooking the reservoir, to wellness amenities like the renowned Banyan Tree Spa, here’s what to expect at the upcoming resort.
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What is Mandai Rainforest Resort?
Mandai Rainforest Resort is a 4.6-hectare accommodation built right in the middle of Mandai Wildlife Reserve. It’s the famous hospitality company Banyan Group’s 100th hotel, and also their first in SG.
In total, the resort has 338 rooms, including 24 luxurious “treehouse” suites with attached private patios. There are also a bunch of facilities like restaurants, spas, playgrounds, and pools to enjoy.
How to get to Mandai Rainforest Resort?
Mandai Rainforest Resort is easily accessible by public transportation, with the nearest MRT station being Khatib MRT.
From Khatib, you can hop onto the Mandai Khatib Shuttle, which will take you on a 20-minute journey from the station to the resort. Buses come roughly every 15 minutes, and each trip costs $2.50.
The shuttle makes 2 stops – first at Mandai Wildlife WEST, where Bird Paradise and Rainforest Wild ASIA reside, then at Mandai Wildlife EAST, where the resort and Singapore Zoo are located. You’ll want to get off at the 2nd stop, from which you’ll be able to spot signs leading you straight to the resort.
Alternatively, you can take public buses straight to Mandai Wildlife EAST. These include buses 138, which you can catch from Ang Mo Kio or Springleaf MRT station, or 927, which you can take from Choa Chu Kang MRT.
What to expect from a stay at Mandai Rainforest Resort
Sustainability-focused resort at the heart of Mandai Wildlife Reserve
Step into Mandai Rainforest Resort, and it’s immediately apparent that the hotel has been built around the nature surrounding it, in order to cause as little disruption to the wildlife there as possible.
The resort blends right into the flora and fauna of the reserve, so much so that we even spotted monkeys and their adorable babies scampering about in the bushes as we made our way around.
In fact, from the way it’s built down to the furniture used, we’re told that the development places a great emphasis on sustainability. Take the lobby, for instance – aside from the comfy cushions lying around, it’s decked with sustainably made repurposed wooden benches and tables.
Luxe treehouse rooms with private patios
Adding to the rainforest vibes are the ultra-cool treehouse rooms, which start upwards of $1,000/night. These couple suites are probably the highlight of the resort, thanks to their unique pod-like architecture and spacious patios with views of Upper Seletar Reservoir.
There are a total of 24 treehouses located on the western and eastern ends of the resort. Each 678sqft room is furnished with a king-sized bed, minibar, and coffee-making station; plus a roomy toilet equipped with 2 sinks, a luxurious bathtub, and shower area.
Kick back and enjoy stunning reservoir views on the patio.
BTW, the beds are positioned facing the patio, meaning you get to wake up to gorgeous sunrise views of the reservoir. Talk about shiok.
The luxuries don’t end there, though – all treehouse guests also have access to a special oval-shaped sky pool that looks like something straight out of a magazine.
Couple rooms from $305/night
For something a little less pricey, there are also standard 2 pax rooms from around $305/night, including the Retreat, Rainforest, and Sanctuary rooms.
We paid a visit to the Sanctuary King room (~$368/night), which has a king bed, cosy double-sink toilet, and small living area overlooking the reserve. Defo a good alternative if you’re not as keen to splurge.
Family rooms with kiddy bunk beds
While most rooms here have a max capacity of 2, families can consider booking the resort’s Family Rooms, which accommodate up to 3 guests. These rooms start at roughly $400/night, and come attached to a small balcony with pretty nature views.
The room’s best feature, however, is definitely the bunk bed for kiddos. The cosy top bunk has a ladder attached to it that’s perfect for your little climber, plus a small lounge area beneath that makes for a cosy little hideout spot.
For a tiny bit of privacy, there’s also an automatic blind that partially divides the kid’s bed area from the adults’ – a helpful feature for watching TV a tad later into the night when your little one’s fast asleep.
Like the treehouse toilets, the Family Room also has a double sink that’ll make getting ready in the morning more hassle-free for the entire fam. And while there’s no bathtub here, the showers have floor-to-ceiling windows with lovely nature views.
Rooftop infinity pool
All resort guests also have access to the hotel’s rooftop infinity pool. This gigantic pool has built-in features like tanning beds that are perfect for a midday tanning sesh on a sunny afternoon.
Let’s also take a moment to appreciate the stunning pool view. Unlike most infinity pools with skyline views, this one offers a bird’s eye view of the nature reserve, so you can admire top-down views of lush greenery while you swim.
Indoor & outdoor play areas for kids
Besides the swimming pool, there are also 2 kiddy play areas for your kiddos to enjoy, rain or shine.
The first is an outdoor playground, where energetic youngins can attempt a small rope course, zoom down mini slides, and hop around on spring boards.
But in the case of bad weather – or if your kid’s just not an outdoorsy person, – there’s also an indoor play space called Rangers’ Club equipped with educational books and toys to entertain your tots. P.S. If you want some alone time to R&R, you can even arrange to drop off your little ones here for a couple of hours.
Banyan Tree Spa and Gym
We’ve covered play areas for kids, now it’s time to talk about where we adults get to kick back and relax.
Without a doubt, the Banyan Tree Spa is another must-visit spot in the hotel – after all, the Banyan Group is known worldwide for their top spa facilities, including their existing spa outlet at MBS.
Soon, you’ll be able to visit their newest outlet at the resort, where you can pamper yourself with treatments like herbal and full-body massages that’ll leave you glowing and rejuvenated by the end of your vacay.
While you’re there, be sure to pop by the gym as well. Attached to the spa, the resort’s gym has all the exercise equipment you’ll need for a good sweat, from treadmills to weight machines and exercise balls.
2 specialty restaurants, including farm-to-table dishes
We can’t talk about a resort without mentioning its dining options. Mandai Rainforest Resort has 2 in-house restaurants: Planter’s Shed and Forage.
Planter’s Shed.
Planter’s Shed, which also serves as the general brekkie area for guests, is a casual all-day dining restaurant that serves both local and international cuisine.
We got to sample one of its upcoming menu items – Duck Ravioli with Baby Bok Choy, and let’s just say it definitely hit the spot with its generous meat filling and umami sauce.
Forage.
Meanwhile, head a few levels up and you’ll find Forage, a fancier resto that serves farm-to-table dishes made with produce from the resort’s very own Discovery Forest, a mini garden that hotel guests can tour around.
Take a stroll through Discovery Forest.
While we don’t have all the deets yet, Forage is set to have a pretty unique menu, including the option to “Trust The Chef” and let him surprise you with his choice of dishes.
On our visit, we also got to try the Lobster & Monkfish Salad, a signature dish from Forage. This delish starter came with succulent lobster meat paired with sweet monkfish, and topped with bits of caviar. We’ll definitely be back for seconds.
Mandai Rainforest Resort – TheSmartLocal review
From its scenic nature views to wellness facilities, the Mandai Rainforest Resort is definitely the ideal spot for a good recharge. The best part? Being there for a couple of hours genuinely made us feel like we were overseas for a hot minute, so we can only imagine how fun an actual staycation there would be.
Well, whether you’re a burnt-out adult looking for a respite from city life, or simply a nature lover looking for a forest escape, we’d definitely recommend booking a stay at Mandai Rainforest Resort. Psst – you’ll get 20% off all bookings from now till mid-June, so be sure to reserve your rooms ASAP!
Find out more about Mandai Rainforest Resort here
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Photography by Andrea Wong.