It’s rare that such a large and influential hotel group can create a sense of home. But for The Banyan Group, the opening of their Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree in Singapore this year was a homecoming, one that marked many milestones.
You might expect a hotel that’s just a 30 minute drive from Singapore’s Changi airport to look slightly different – greyer perhaps, and set within a smattering of high-rise buildings and a flurry of rushing workers somewhere downtown in the city. I certainly did. Instead, the next morning I awoke to one of the greatest luxuries of all – peace. The whistling of a dull breeze passing over the reservoir lakes and through the dense mangrove, the courting cries of hornbills, kingfishers, and bulbuls; instead of roaring city noises, these are the sounds welcoming you into Singapore’s first regenerative resort.
On the 60th anniversary of Singapore’s independence this year, Banyan Group founders also celebrated the opening of their 100th property – inaugurated by Singapore’s president Tharman Shanmugaratnam – which, beyond an impressive achievement, signalled the first property on the husband-wife duo’s home turf, Singapore. Over 30 years in the pipeline, the founders took their time to uncover a location that felt intrinsic to Banyan Group, meaning one that offered another, lesser known (and much greener) side to Singapore, a place they know so well.
“Singapore is a garden city – not a garden in the city but a city in nature” Dawn Lim, executive director of Design Singapore Council explains. As part of Singapore’s Green Plan 2030 (one goal is to ensure every household in the city lives within a ten minute walk to a park), the city is innovating how we interact with nature. In 2015, Singapore joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network as a City of Design, challenging architects and designers to use design in all its forms to improve airflow, maximise daylight, insulate spaces, and rebuild the natural resources we have slowly allowed to become so endangered. The target is to make Singapore carbon neutral by 2050.
With this forward-thinking mindset, the Banyan Group’s founders emphasise how you can’t sustain an endangered planet – instead you have to regenerate it. This new hotel naturally slots right in as the first resort situated within a world-leading wildlife reserve in a capital city.
The Vibe
Tucked in the North of Singapore Island, close to the Malaysian border, within almost five acres of reservoirs and rainforest (backing onto 126 acres), Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree is continuing Singapore’s legacy when it comes to biophilic design. A shrubbery-enshrouded drive beckons you past the twelve-metre tall rain tree and an old Indian beech tree up to the open air, canopy-like lobby. Concrete jungle takes on a new meaning here, as vines and greenery grow around the lattice structures covering the whole property – which soon will immerse the whole resort into its verdant surrounds. Conceived by WOW architects, careful attention has been paid to minimise disruption to the flora and fauna across all aspects of the design: the whole property is raised off the ground to allow ground mammals to pass underneath (with careful safety fencing to keep larger animals from straying into the breakfast buffet), dots cover larger window areas to stop birds accidentally flying into the glass, as much of the construction was done off site as possible and then craned in to minimise noise pollution, and fresh rainwater is cleverly collected and used across the site.
A soft breeze flowing from open spaces permeates the humidity in the airy corridors between bedrooms (also reducing the need for air conditioning in common spaces) while a large infinity pool overlooking the freshwater reservoir and discovery forest of local plants and flower species cover the top floor – each is a peaceful reminder that you are staying within a habitat that is growing around you.
The Rooms
There are two main divides in categories at Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree: treehouses and bedrooms across the main property. The treehouses are inspired by the seed pods of the native Purple Millettia and are the signature Banyan Tree offering. Sweet honeymoon-like abodes, each boasts an open-plan bedroom and balcony with sweeping views across the rainforests and reservoir.
Across the main building, 300 additional rooms range in category from king rooms to signature and family suites (the most popular). Opt for a Sanctuary Room for views over the reservoir. Each is open plan, with floor-to-ceiling windows in both the bedroom and a shower overlooking the jungle surrounds, with sliding doors separating the bathroom space from the rest. A large mural painting by a local artist decorates the wall, with jungle sketches – animals, flora, and fauna – corresponding to the level of the rainforest that would grow to the height of the floor your room is on. Touch screen pads control your in-room lighting and temperature, and show you how much energy your room is using compared to the average usage across the hotel. You’ll also find a reusable bag folded up in the shape of a turtle and reusable water bottles to use across the site and adjacent zoo to minimise single-use waste.
The Food + Drink
The downstairs Planter’s Shed is the resort’s all-day dining spot and also where guests convene for breakfast every morning. A spread of fresh local fruits (and a DIY juice bar), pastries, and hot dishes from seared fish and Korean specialities to a full English are laid out in the morning, swapped for a menu of satay sticks, fresh curries, crab laksa, and an array of pastas, pizzas, and salads for the remainder of the day.
Forage is the resort’s elevated harvest-to-table spot, reserved only for treehouse guests at breakfasts and bookable for lunch (three courses) and evening (five courses) dining. Chef Marcus Tan has conjured up special, seasonal tasting menus of free-range poulet, fish, and local vegetables including garnishes from the rooftop herb garden and mushrooms from the resort’s special fungi-growing fridge.
The Spa
To accompany the soothing song of rainforest creatures that surrounds you – relaxing in itself – journey to the spa where Banyan Tree’s signature holistic treatments and wellbeing products await. The spa is centred around eight pillars of wellbeing including mindfulness, growth, and grounding – each of which are intrinsic to everything the team do here. The treatment rooms are housed in snug treehouse pods where you can enjoy the Royal Banyan massage blending Eastern and Western techniques aimed at improving circulation and reducing aches – perfect for jaded travellers who, like me, have arrived after 14-hour flights – overlooking the surrounding greenery. Yoga, sound healing, and Pilates classes also take place here, with a high-tech gym (open 24/7) next door.
The Little Extras
Flit past the carts of fresh guava juice and cookies in the open-air lobby towards the gift shop, stocked full with creative pieces (from handmade silk eye masks, toiletry bags, wooden fans, ceramics, and more) made by local artists that you’ll want to smuggle home to all your friends and family. Gift for good – supporting local communities and artisans – is an important part of all Banyan Tree properties.
Banyan Tree also launched a signature scent for the new property (bergamot and spearmint) which is used in the spa and available to purchase in the shop too. A candle in this scent is lit in your bathroom during turndown service for its relaxant effects, and wafts through your open plan room as you unwind for the night.
The To-Do List
Banyan Group’s ethos is centred around quality time and experiences as two of the greatest luxuries of all, so a signature local offering is always part of your stay. The hotel is adjacent to the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, which is home to over 20,000 animals and a large draw to the property, especially for local families spending the weekend at the Singapore Zoo. As part of the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, guests can also purchase tickets to Night Safari (a chance to see the nocturnal animals), Bird Paradise where American flamingos, Amazonian motmots, Bali myna – and all kinds of exotic birds fly around you. While a zoo at first glance, Mandai Wildlife Reserve does important conservation work behind the scenes, including increasing the endangered population of black monkeys from 60 to over 100 in the past 10 years and leading veterinary operations for injured animals of all kinds.
Closer to the resort, take a stroll down the circular, reservoir-side walking trails (most likely passing Macaques families as you do so) to immerse yourself amongst the storied environment. Should you wish to head into the city, transfers are available to book at reception.
Photos by Mandai Rainforest Retreat by Banyan Tree
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