On my way to the nocturnal white rhinoceros feeding, I pass a group of sloth bears, casually munching away at their botanical dinner. Next, on the Tasmanian Devil Trail, a wallaby forages for food under moonlight, paying no heed to the gaggle of human onlookers. At another crossing, a herd of well-behaved deer appear, quite suddenly and very silently, like a woodland vision brought to life. Most impressively, the Creatures of the Night show reveals a cast of well-trained mammals and birds, from raccoons and foxes to the majestic turkey vulture. It’s all happening at the Night Safari at the Singapore Zoo, the world’s first nocturnal zoo and one of five parks of the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, which also includes Bird Paradise, River Wonders, and, its latest, Rainforest Wild Asia.
Anticipation for this unique destination resort had been building for the past few years, driven in part by the enigma of its pod-like treehouses, which recall the scenescapes of James Cameron’s Avatar. Banyan Tree, a company with plenty of green credentials, is in charge of the resort operations, so it feels very much like a case of all the pieces of the jigsaw fitting together.
Arriving at the new Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree leads you into a lobby with a chandelier of creeping plants, repurposed fallen trees turned into seating, and a general feeling that you’re outside city limits. Give it some time, and your senses become attuned to the sounds, scents, and sights of nature.
From the resort’s green rooftop oasis, you take in the vast, watery and tranquil expanse of the Upper Seletar Reservoir, distinguish distinctly different birdsong and then, from the corner of your eye, notice the rustling bushes just before a squirrel pops out. Just as quickly, your newly met furry friend disappears along its merry way. What happens here is the true magic of this resort—urban realities melt, your mind becomes centred on the present, and your entire being is awash with wonder and excitement.
That general feeling of well-being and joy is linked to studies that have found that human pleasure centres light up, especially when we see something cute (the brain receives dopamine doses because ‘it’s so fluffy’). And if it’s cute you want, you’re in the right place in the Mandai Wildlife Reserve and its starring line-up of playful animals, as well as the many recognisable species that feature in children’s storybooks (lions, tigers, and bears, oh my!). The Singapore Zoo alone features more than 300 animal species (16 of which are classified as threatened), and Bird Paradise is home to more than 400 bird species. All in, the wild adventure that awaits across the five parks is composed of more than 4,200 animals—an endeavour that is estimated to require at least three days to take it all in.
Photography by Zachary Lim
For the resort, that zoological attraction is coupled with its mission to provide a ‘conscious stay’ for its guests. With this resort taking place in one of Singapore’s green lungs, it’s to be expected that an extreme effort has been carried out in ensuring its sustainability credentials. Mandai Rainforest Resort achieves this, being the only BCA Green Mark Award Platinum Super Low Energy holder for a new non-residential building in Singapore. Walking around the resort shows how this integration manifests architecturally, aesthetically, and operationally. Creepers take to the wall already, while an edible garden has been established to provide for its kitchens. For those seeking a return to nature, the answer lies in the resort’s otherworldly treehouses, cosseted by the foliage and with private patios opening into rainforest panoramas.
At its unmissable Banyan Tree Spa, you get much more than a 24-hour gym and relaxation. A well-designed series of programmes vary from making your own lip balm using only natural ingredients such as shea butter and beeswax, to an hour-long sound bath experience that decompresses and recharges your energy centres.
Forage, the resort’s speciality dining, showcases the restaurant’s harvest-to-table philosophy across five- and eight-course menus. “At Forage, we are guided by nature—the changing of seasons and the surprises that are brought with it have inspired our latest menu,” says the restaurant’s chef de cuisine Marcus Tan. “Shaped by our philosophy of seasonality and sustainability, the day’s freshest finds are transformed into a distinctive dining experience that honours the land, waters, and communities around us.”
This results in inventive dishes with season-led ingredients, such as skipjack tuna with red pepper ponzu and cashews; a soybean, leek and Kaluga hybrid caviar; and a wagyu striploin garnished with black winter truffles. Meanwhile, stems, skins, and other by-products of cooking get turned into stock, sauces, and garnishes, while partnerships with local farmers and fishermen ensure provenance and freshness.
Mornings here are relaxed, with breakfast served with an effervescent playlist of Bitter Heart by Zee Avi and Bahamas’ Little Record Girl. Coupled with the always tranquil view of the reservoir, guests may even give the zoo a skip, and simply absorb some vibes in their rooms or at the rooftop pools, as they continue their restorative journey of returning to nature.
The Kids’ Club
Next-level adventures abound at Mandai Rainforest Resort’s Rangers’ Club. Operating from 8am to 6pm, the space caters to children between the ages of four and 11 years old. Among the many indoor attractions are board games, video games, toys, and a reading nook. Daily activities and programming include cookie decorating, paper making, DIY bunny lanterns, and leaf art.
