Hidden Singapore wildlife sanctuary with incredible sunrise and sunset views

Chances are you’ll see more macaques than Merlions here. 

Water glints across the Upper Seletar Reservoir, treetops stretch like someone forgot to trim them, and somewhere, hovering above, a hornbill is judging your life choices. 

Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree promises a staycation that feels like an overseas getaway – minus the two-hour flight, overpriced airport latte, or luggage drama.

But the resort isn’t just another pretty place to hide from your inbox. 

Planted right inside one of Singapore’s boldest conservation zones, it doubles as a living experiment in how luxury, wildlife, and sustainability can share the same postcode. It also gives city dwellers a taste of real rainforest living while Singapore test-drives a future where eco-tourism, wildlife corridors, and actual wild things – not just the growing Orchard Road crowds – are part of everyday life.

Why stay at Mandai Rainforest Resort

The 4.6-hectare resort sits at the heart of the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, a bold contrast to living lightly in a dense city. For Singaporeans used to checking the NEA rain forecast more than the hues of the sky, it’s a reminder that nature still writes its own rules. 

Designed with biomimicry in mind, the 338-room property takes its cues from the rainforest. Even the arrival sets the tone: guests enter flanked by two preserved giants – a 12-metre Rain Tree with its umbrella-shaped canopy and a hardy native Indian Beech – a striking welcome that underscores the resort’s commitment to building around nature, rather than over it.

Here, luxury isn’t just plush bedding (though yes, there is pillow service) but the subtle thrill of knowing the forest has the final say. 

The star of the show is the resort’s 24 luxury treehouses, perched like seed pods above the forest floor, each with a private patio and uninterrupted views of the canopy and reservoir. Elevated to mirror the rainforest layers, they offer deep immersion without disturbing the wildlife corridors below.

Guests can wander these boardwalks at their own pace, pausing to watch a monitor lizard sun itself or a bird swoop in for breakfast – all without ever crossing a border.

The rooms at Mandai Rainforest Resort

If treehouses aren’t quite your thing, most guests will find themselves in the main five-storey building – home to 314 rooms and suites – overlooking either thick, leafy greens or the shimmering waters of Upper Seletar Reservoir.

The vibe is warm, calming, and pleasantly unfussy – natural textures, soft earth tones, and a kind of forest-side tranquility you don’t usually get outside a spa playlist. 

Inside each room is a subtle nod to local wildlife: lithographs of lesser mousedeer, white-collared kingfishers, and grey-headed fish eagles line the walls, a gentle reminder that you’re sharing the neighbourhood with actual residents.

Sustainability threads through the everyday details, too. Lobby furniture is crafted from upcycled wood, rooms are naturally ventilated, and rainwater is harvested for flushing systems. Even the in-room displays nudge guests to keep an eye on energy use, creating small touches that make this sort of ecological mindfulness part of the experience. 

It’s no surprise the resort is Singapore’s first to clinch the Green Mark Platinum Super Low Energy rating. And for Singaporeans used to carefully manicured parks and predictable greenery, the resort offers something rarer – a stay that lets nature take the lead, and lets us follow.

Where to eat and drink at Mandai Rainforest Resort

If you’re already wondering what (and where) you’ll be eating – don’t worry, the resort keeps the options tight but tasty with two dining spots, each with its own charm.

At the basement, Planter’s Shed handles the heavy lifting – breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s an all-day dining restaurant with local and international dishes, buffet spreads, live cooking stations, and even roving tableside service – a little theatrical, a lot satisfying.

Slightly more upscale, Forage at Level 4 is where you go for afternoon tea or a leisurely dinner. It overlooks the reservoir, so you get that “holiday somewhere far away” feeling without actually leaving Singapore. 

The menu is a “Trust the Chef” situation, featuring fresh, daily-sourced ingredients – including produce grown right on the resort’s rooftop edible garden.

What to do in Mandai Rainforest Resort

The resort’s Banyan Tree Spa is a highlight for any adult craving some R&R. 

Inspired by the protective scales of the Sunda pangolin, its treatment pods feel like cocoon-like retreats, where guests can unwind amid natural surroundings. Signature treatments use local aromatic oils, herbs, and spices, blending centuries-old wellness traditions with the resort’s sustainability ethos. Outside, the forest sets the pace: birdsong, rustling leaves, and the occasional wildlife cameo provide a subtle, living soundtrack – the kind of gentle interruption city life rarely affords.

For lighter indulgences, the Banyan Tree Gallery offers locally inspired lifestyle merchandise, from spa products to natural bath and body essentials. 

Families with small adventurers aren’t left out either. The Rangers’ Club, tucked in the basement, is a cheerful playground for kids 11 and under, full of toys, a reading nook, and plenty of space to let little imaginations roam. Outside, an outdoor playground – inspired by cannonball trees – lets them burn off energy under the watchful gaze of the surrounding rainforest.

Explore the surrounding Mandai Rainforest Resort

Step outside the resort and you are practically at Singapore’s most iconic wildlife parks. Singapore Zoo, River Wonders, and Night Safari are just a short stroll away, while Bird Paradise and the new Rainforest Wild Asia are a quick shuttle ride that is free and fuss-free. Whether meandering or trying to tick off every park in a day, the resort makes it easy – and there’s no peak-hour traffic to contend with.

For families and wildlife enthusiasts, the forest itself becomes a playground. Early morning Wild Walks at Bird Paradise let you catch birds at their most active, while children aged 6 to 10 can join the Wild ZooDay Camp at Singapore Zoo to explore exhibits with the guidance of trained staff. 

For an extra thrill, the Wild Encounter brings guests face-to-face with an animal star, giving a behind-the-scenes look at how keepers care for these creatures. 

A new language of luxury

Mandai Rainforest Resort shows that luxury can mean moving with the forest rather than trying to control it. Treehouse balconies, birdsong at sunrise, and the quiet thrill of wildlife deciding the pace of your day make every moment feel alive.

The Rainforest Festival from 27 November to 3 December brings this ethos to life, with sustainable workshops, yoga, live music, children’s activities, and eco-conscious food experiences. Proceeds support the President’s Challenge, matched dollar-for-dollar by Banyan Group.

Whether wandering the boardwalks, spotting a hornbill, or exploring festival highlights, Mandai offers a vision of a Singapore where nature and city life grow together. If Singapore once sought to tame the wild, Mandai suggests a bolder ambition – to grow alongside it.