According to the leading travel firms and trend forecasters, 2026 may just be the year to rest and recharge.
Enter Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree in Singapore, an integrated nature and wildlife destination. The Mandai Rainforest Resort is nestled within the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, Singapore’s nature and wildlife destination, home to the Bird Paradise, Night Safari, River Wonders, Singapore Zoo and Rainforest Wild Asia.
There is no better reminder that exiting the airport and taking a 20-minute drive along a highway surrounded by skyscrapers to remind you of where you are headed and why. Pass the entrance to the Singapore zoo and you’re at the large open air lobby of Mandai Rainforest Resort. The 338-room resort blends so well with its natural surroundings, you almost forget its a hotel and with every view being of the lush greenery around, you may also forget you’re in Singapore.
The first resort in Singapore to achieve a green mark super low energy certification, the resort features a variety of room categories, from standard rooms and suites to family rooms with a bunk bed that overlook views of the rainforest, garden and the Upper Seletar Reservoir. The resort is elevated several meters above the ground where possible, allowing native wildlife to move across the site. Constructed with nature in mind, even the eco-friendly concrete exteriors are imprinted with actual tree barks so it blends in with the surroundings despite being grey in colour. There are curves, turns and bridges that work around most of the wildlife and the trees that predate the resort.
Though it may be hard to spot the Banyan Tree luxury in the main building, its evident in the uniquely designed 24 treehouses, each with a private patio. Shaped like seed pods, the treehouse rooms are inspired by the Purple Millettia (Adinobotrys atropurpurea) blends nature-inspired architecture with modern luxury. In fact, the treehouses allow the forest floor to breathe and vegetation to thrive below them. They also allow the wild boar to have free rein in their surroundings while we live around them.
The crowning glory of the treehouses are the bird's nest pools that are a semi-private amenity for guests in the treehouses. the canopy-level pool is shaped like a weaver bird’s nest and faces east for sunrise. Perhaps the best view in the entire resort and the best IG photo, too.
If you’re not in a treehouse, you have access to a rooftop infinity pool that goes the entire length of the resort and offers an amazing view of the reservoir and the zoo beyond.
All the roofs and balconies have plants growing on them and while lying in bed or sitting on the couch, you may also be privy to a nosy red squirrel making its way home outside. Despite Singapore’s rather humid tropical climate, the resort does feel airy and has a mild breeze flowing through it. You are encouraged to practice sustainability while in the resort.
The rooms come with a reusable water bottle made from sugarcane fibre and can be refilled in the room and around the property. The air-conditioning doesn’t go lower the 24C and all rooms also have fans for those hot, humid days in the summer. But the overall temperature remains cool due to all the greenery around and the architectural design.
Rainwater is harvested for irrigation and toilets; rooftops have more than 300 solar panels; and nearby pollinator gardens support rescued bees and the kitchen garden produces herbs and fruits.
The resort houses two restaurants. Planter's Shed is the all-day dining and breakfast place, where a buffet of local and international favourites is served. Breakfast is a lavish affair here and has everything you’d possibly need to fuel for a day of exploration and nature immersion. The congee with the condiment offerings is one of the best I’ve had in Asia.
Overlooking the tranquil reservoir is Forage, which offers an immersive harvest-to-table experience, shaped by freshly foraged, seasonal produce. Head chef Marcus Tan’s menu at Forage unveils a menu that mirrors the rainforest’s seasonal abundance. The menu is a choice of a five-course Discovery Menu or an eight-course Experience Menu, though Forage is only open to diners above the age of 10. This is also the place to indulge in afternoon tea.
The young ones, despite having plenty to do, also have access to the Ranger’s Club, which offers nature workshops and activities.
Being a stone’s throw away from Singapore’s green immersive experiences, there is never a dull moment at Mandai Rainforest Resort. While here, you may come across macaques, wild boar or monitor lizards, and if you look up you may also see army helicopters and Black Hawks due to the bordering military training land. Once the sunsets, the cicadas can be loud but what better sounds to fall asleep to, while waking up to bird song.
Should all the walking around the Mandai Wildlife Reserve tire you, there is always the Banyan Tree Spa to soothe aching muscles. The spa also offers body scrub and other wellness workshops.
Mandai Rainforest Resort is rooted in biophilia, which is all about strengthening the human connection with nature through plants, natural light, wood, stone, organic shapes and views of greenery.
Is there a better way to kickstart the new year, new you programme?
