Banyan Group and Mandai Wildlife Group marked a landmark moment on 26 November with the grand opening of the Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree, officiated by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. The ceremony included the inauguration of the resort’s Wishing Wall and a first look at Banyan Group’s debut Rainforest Festival, which opens to the public today.
Nestled within the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, the resort is Banyan Group’s 100th property, a symbolic homecoming for the hospitality brand in Singapore. It is also the first-ever resort located within a world-class wildlife and nature destination in a capital city, offering a rare blend of luxury, sustainability, and immersive nature experiences.
A Showcase of Nature-Led Design and Experiences
The opening began with a musical performance by young talents from Wolfgang Violin Studio, followed by a guided tour highlighting the resort’s sustainable architecture, biodiversity corridors, and nature-forward programming. Guests also previewed the Rainforest Festival, discovering:
- The Discovery Trail
- A curated global craft showcase at the Banyan Gallery
- The GREEN-HOUSE HangOut sustainable weekend market
- A visit to Curiosity Cove — Singapore’s largest indoor, nature-inspired playscape located just minutes from the resort
Nearly 100 beneficiaries from President’s Challenge programmes joined the preview, with more than 2,000 beneficiaries invited throughout the week.
Celebrating Banyan Group’s Milestones
The festivities continued with the premiere of The Journey, a 12-minute film tracing Banyan Group’s evolution from its roots in Phuket to its 100th resort in Singapore. An intimate “In Conversation” session followed with Founder and Executive Chairman Ho Kwon Ping and Co-Founder Claire Chiang.
A City in Nature dialogue, introduced by Ho Ren Yung, Deputy CEO of Banyan Group, brought together leaders from conservation, architecture, and design. Speakers included Mandai Wildlife Group’s Dr Cheng Wen-Haur, DesignSingapore Council’s Dawn Lim, and WOW Architects Co-Founder Wong Chiu Man.
The day’s celebrations concluded with an appreciation dinner hosted by Paul Foster, featuring performances by acclaimed local artists including Min Lee, Shazza, MICappella, and Cultural Medallion recipient Dick Lee.
Rainforest Festival Now Open to the Public
Running from 27 November to 3 December 2025, the first-ever Rainforest Festival invites visitors to enjoy a full week of nature-inspired activities at the resort. Festivalgoers can look forward to:
- Discovery trails and curated craft showcases
- Daily wellbeing sessions, nature walks, workshops, and yoga classes
- Family-friendly activities and refreshing treats
- Weekend performances by Wolfgang Violin Studio, Joie Tan, Jack & Rai, MICappella, Gabrielle Mendoza, and more
- Sunday’s Beans & Beats takeover of the main stage
All festival ticket proceeds will be donated to the President’s Challenge and matched dollar-for-dollar by Banyan Group. Additional donations will come from paid experiences, SG60 merchandise, and will be matched by the Government under the SG60 Matching Grants.
Festival Admission
- Weekdays: S$10
- Weekends: S$15
- Free for: Children under 4, in-house resort guests, and participants of paid tours/experiences
Ticket holders also enjoy discounts at Rainforest Wild Asia, Bird Paradise, Curiosity Cove, selected dining outlets, and Banyan Tree experiences.
Silver Generation Weekday Retreat
To celebrate SG60 and the resort’s opening, the Silver Staycation weekday retreat is now available for guests aged 60 and above, valid for stays until 30 April 2026. The package includes:
- Daily breakfast for two
- Advance purchase savings
- Complimentary Family Room upgrade (subject to availability)
- A S$100 nett resort credit redeemable for dining, spa treatments, in-resort experiences, and arranged park admissions
For booking details, visit the Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree.
