Elevator pitch
It might surprise you to learn that one of Singapore’s most hotly anticipated hotel openings of the year is situated far from the ever-growing hospitality enclave of Orchard Road. In fact, it isn’t located near the densely populated city centre at all, but thronged in wilderness—in the heart of the sprawling Mandai Wildlife Reserve.
Surrounded on all sides by lush nature and the city’s zoological parks (Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Wonders, Bird Paradise and Rainforest Wild Asia), a stay at Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree is akin to a weekend at Disneyland for animal lovers. Even if surprise animal encounters were not at the top of your list of requirements for a getaway, the resort’s staggering biophilic design and luxurious rooms (courtesy of homegrown hospitality group Banyan Tree) will lull you into the sort of tranquility nearly impossible to find anywhere else in the city.
The design
The 338-room resort offers a variety of room types, with the crown jewels undoubtedly being the aptly-named treehouses. Designed by local company WOW Architects and embedded seamlessly into the surrounding forest scape, these seed pod-shaped treehouses are masterclasses in biophilic design. Natural materials and organic shapes lend to the illusion that they are sprouted from nature itself, while clever architecture allows the suites to ‘hang’ from the open-air walkways (branches, if you will) that connect them.
Of course, biophilic design means nothing if a destination does not actually walk the talk when it comes to sustainability. To that end, Mandai Rainforest Resort takes various measures to ensure minimal disruption to nature and the environment. Wherever possible, the resort is elevated several metres above the ground to allow native wildlife to move across the site. More than half the trees on the site have been retained, while re-greening efforts have been introduced to further enhance biodiversity.
A host of energy saving measures—including the use of natural ventilation, mixed mode air-conditioning and solar panels—are incorporated into the rooms and common spaces, and guests are educated on sustainable best practices and the value they bring to the conservation of biodiversity. In short, the resort’s status as the first to achieve Green Mark Super Low Energy (SLE) certification by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) in Singapore is well-earned.
The itinerary
It is a testament to the lush comforts of the rooms—in signature Banyan Tree style, they’re decked out in quiet but luxurious design, top-of-the-line fixtures and bedding that swathes your body just right—that you might find it slightly challenging to tear yourself away and venture outside. But venture outside you must, particularly when you are enveloped by the wonders of wildlife. (Of course, no one can fault you if you choose to indulge in a pampering massage at the Banyan Tree Spa first, to prime yourself for a full evening of exploration.)
We recommend spending your first evening at the Night Safari—a leisurely walk from the resort, just like the other zoological parks. If you make it in time for Creatures of the Night at the amphitheatre, you will be rewarded with a live showcase of adorable nocturnal animals each showing off their best tricks—from Indra the porcupine cat-walking across stage to Toffee the raccoon expertly opening boxes and jars on its own.
As with all zoological experiences at the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, utmost care is taken to ensure the welfare of the animals—they are never forced to perform or even make an appearance in front of guests if they choose not to. As we witnessed first hand, should an animal not respond to commands or treats from its handler, they are simply allowed to return to their habitats and the show goes on.
The delights continue the following morning, at Breakfast in the Wild at the Singapore Zoo, where you come face to face with orangutans over eggs. Up-close yet carefully mediated, it’s a thrilling way to kickstart a day of exploration in the parks. When the night ends, there is no place you’ll want to return to more than the resort’s comfortable rooms—a mere 10 minutes away on foot, as the balmy air cools the sweat off your back.
Book a stay at Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree.
