Five-star comfort meets actual rainforest: The sleepover your children won’t stop talking about

Imagine this: after a good night’s rest in a plush bed, you open your eyes to the sweeping, soothing view of reservoir waters, lush vegetation and perhaps even a curious squirrel or two at your window. There are no high-rise buildings in sight, no traffic noise – just the quiet energy of the forest.

But you are not at a faraway resort a plane ride away from home. You and your family are still in Singapore, immersed in nature and rejuvenated by the wonders of Mother Nature.

This is the unique experience offered by the new

Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree

, the first-ever resort located within a nature and wildlife destination in a capital city.

Just a short drive from the city centre, the resort offers a nature-inspired staycation that feels like a holiday abroad without actually leaving the country. For families with young children, it promises a convenient, fuss-free getaway with something for every family member – even the young ones.

But Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree is not your regular staycation location, as writer Pearlyn Tham finds out. She went on a one-night staycation at the resort earlier this year with her husband and five-year-old daughter as well as three other families with young children. Here is her first-hand experience.

Escape to nature without leaving Singapore

With five pre-schoolers in our group, it was tricky finding a weekend holiday venue that would appeal to both adults and children without travelling out of Singapore.

As we do not own a car, the idea of heading to Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree instead of a hotel in the city centre felt a little daunting at first. But a taxi ride from our home in the Central region got us there in less than half an hour.

From the get-go, there was no time for the kids to feel bored or restless. While we adults checked in, the little ones explored the spacious, well-ventilated open-air lobby. The bonus: friendly staff appeared with trolleys filled with iced water, homemade juices and cookies to prep us for the day ahead.

The 4.6ha resort, which opened in April, sits within the Mandai Wildlife Reserve. We found ourselves within walking distance of several parks, including the Night Safari, River Wonders and the world-famous Singapore Zoo. Thanks to the sheltered walkway, it took us less than 15 minutes to get to these parks on foot.

For an even more immersive experience for the family, the Wild Escape: Breakfast and Park Experience comprises “Breakfast in the Wild”, a sumptuous buffet spread for two at the Singapore Zoo that takes place with up-close interactions with wildlife and their keepers.

Your breakfast will be prepared with sustainably sourced ingredients and the package also includes a one-day admission for two to the Singapore Zoo – a big plus as you can skip the queue for entry tickets.

Getting around was easy too. The resort’s Car Shuttle, which seats up to six guests per trip, runs every 10 minutes to Bird Paradise and Rainforest Wild Asia – especially convenient if you have children in tow.

Spacious rooms with eco-friendly design

After half a day out at the Singapore Zoo, we returned to Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree for a quick recharge. Our rooms were ready by then, and we were pleasantly surprised by how spacious they were.

Although family rooms with bunk beds were available, we booked the Rainforest Room which came with a huge king-sized bed – big enough for two adults and one child – a separate sitting area and a generously sized bathroom with a shower area that overlooked Upper Seletar Reservoir.

As the 338-room resort is designed around nature and sustainability, every little detail is not forgotten, from the architecture to the amenities. After all, Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree is the first resort to be awarded Singapore’s Green Mark Platinum Super Low Energy.

Ambient room temperatures are regulated to emulate the cooler temperatures of rainforests in the tropics. This means that your air-conditioning system does not go below 24 deg C, but with the ceiling fan on, it keeps the room breezy and comfortable.

An interactive panel even showed us our energy consumption levels and reminded us when we were using more than the recommended levels. The toilets also use repurposed rainwater for flushing. These touches offer great learning opportunities for your little ones to understand the importance of protecting the environment.

A clubhouse just for children

While we could have easily spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing in our room, there was still plenty to explore. Our kids were delighted to check out the in-house Rangers’ Club, a kids’ space for those aged four to 11.

There, staff chaperones watch over the young ones who are treated to a wide assortment of toys, books and games indoors. Older kids get to work off their boundless energy at the sprawling outdoor playground area. The club even had kid-friendly features such as children’s toilets and milk-heating facilities.

Some of us parents took the opportunity to explore the well-equipped gym and the rooftop infinity pool, which offered a picturesque view of the reservoir.

For guests looking to unwind, book an appointment at the Banyan Tree Spa for some rest and relaxation, which has three treatment pods and three treatment rooms.

On rainy days, or if you have more time during your staycation, enquire at the concierge about the resort’s wide range of activities. Complimentary options include yoga and pilates classes for parents, as well as do-it-yourself body scrub workshops suitable for both adults and children. Depending on the day, guests can also join other sessions such as Local Kopi Craft, where you can sample different types of coffee.

All-day dining and lavish breakfasts

Eventually, it was time to pick up our kids from the Rangers’ Club. Naturally, they were having so much fun that they refused to leave. A good way to cajole them is with yummy food at Planter’s Shed.

Resort guests can opt for an exclusive $25 dining pass for children aged 11 and below, an all-inclusive dining programme which lets them enjoy lunch, afternoon snacks, dinner buffet and all-day drinks at Planter’s Shed. The spacious, light-filled restaurant is also where you tuck into a breakfast buffet the next morning. Insider tip: do not miss the free-flow champagne, available only during breakfast.

Alongside the usual Asian and international offerings, there was a chocolate fountain, fresh juices and even a drinks station serving local beverages such as Teh C or Kopi O. Even the fussy eaters in our group were happy, which, as any parent knows, is no small feat.

But how did we know that the resort really had their stamp of approval? A month later, the children are still asking when we will be returning to “the holiday near the zoo with the nice room, yummy breakfast and playground”.

Book your next stay in the heart of Mandai’s wild side at

Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree

.