If you blink, you may miss this luxe hotel nestled in the lush greenery of Singapore.
And that’s exactly the effect Banyan Tree was hoping to have with its new biophilic-design property, which just opened its doors last week. Mandai Rainforest Resort, marking the 100th locale for the hotelier, is perched right among the trees in the city-state’s Mandai Wildlife Reserve.
Within its 11.4 acres of nature, the new hotel is akin to a treehouse, with elevated accommodations that soar through the surrounding flora and reach the crest of the canopy. That means you’ll get to take in some pretty stunning views of the area’s Upper Seletar Reservoir. The circular design, meanwhile, is an ode to the seed pods of the Purple Millettia, a tree that blooms stunning purple flowers. And, in a common theme you’ll find at the Mandai Rainforest Resort, everything leads back to the environs: The sky-high design lets vegetation below grow without restriction, preserving the surrounding nature, and many a mature tree were carefully preserved when building the site.
The Treehouse bedroom, with its own private patio overlooking the rainforest.
That idea continues into the property’s accommodations (full of an array of green and neutral brown hues), courtesy of artwork from Singaporean artist Donna Ong. Her creations bring the forest to life within the rooms here, which range from King rooms to luxe suites for families, drawing inspiration from the forest floor, the canopy, and other layers of greenery, alongside depictions of native animals like the white collared kingfisher, the Sumatran flying dragon, and the grey headed fish eagle. The star rooms, though, are those Treehouse pods, which act as your own private sanctuary at the resort. With these, you get your own patio to take in the serene surroundings as well as access to access to a private pool.
For your meals, head to Forage, a restaurant where ingredients are found within the property’s own garden—which you can feel free to check out for yourself, if you want to indulge in some herbology. The dining destination is also inspired by the rainforest in its cuisine, with some of the wildlife acting as your entertainment; the nearby observation deck is a prime perch for birdwatching with the chance to spot over 30 species. And for a bit of wellness, the property’s spa offers plenty of treatments inspired by traditional Asian techniques, including body conditioners, massages, and more.
“For over a decade, we have been transforming the Mandai Wildlife Reserve into a world-leading wildlife and nature destination, where our parks offer windows into the wild and public spaces create new ways to enjoy the outdoors. With extensive experiences beyond immersive wildlife encounters across our 126-hectare precinct, accommodation is a key part of the journey,” Bennett Neo, CEO of property owner Mandai Wildlife Group, said in a statement. “Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree is an important addition that allows guests to stay longer, explore at their own pace, and fully enjoy everything that the precinct has to offer. More than a place to stay, it is an immersion in nature and a rare opportunity to connect with it in a city-state.”
Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree also serves as a launch point to explore all that nature for yourself, with night safaris, river adventures to meet giant pandas, and more on the experiences menu. Happy adventuring.
Click here to see more of Mandai Rainforest Resort.
Banyan Tree
