Grand Opening of Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree and Rainforest Festival
Banyan Group's inaugural Rainforest Festival opens today, celebrating sustainable design, biodiversity and wellbeing in support of President's Challenge 2025
SINGAPORE, Nov. 27, 2025 /CNW/ -- Banyan Group and Mandai Wildlife Group marked a major milestone on 26 November with the Grand Opening of Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree. President Tharman Shanmugaratnam officiated the grand opening, inaugurating the resort's Wishing Wall and previewing Banyan Group's inaugural Rainforest Festival, which opens to the public today.
Located in the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree marks Banyan Group's 100th resort and its symbolic homecoming to Singapore. Owned by Mandai Wildlife Group, the resort is the first-ever resort situated within a world-leading wildlife and nature destination in a capital city.
Beginning with a musical prelude by young talents from the Wolfgang Violin Studio, the tour featured a guided walk through the resort's sustainable design features, biodiversity corridors and nature-led guest experiences. It also included a preview of the Rainforest Festival, featuring highlights from the Discovery Trail, a curated collection of diversified crafts from around the world at the Banyan Gallery Showcase and the GREEN-HOUSE HangOut sustainability weekend market, as well as a visit to the newly opened Curiosity Cove - Singapore's largest indoor nature-inspired playscape located just a short walk from the resort. Close to 100 beneficiaries from President's Challenge programmes also attended the festival preview, with more than 2,000 beneficiaries invited throughout festival week.
The grand opening day then continued with the premiere of The Journey, a twelve-minute short film tracing Banyan Group's evolution and stories of impact from its beginnings in Phuket to its 100th milestone in Singapore, followed by an intimate In Conversation session with Founder and Executive Chairman Mr Ho Kwon Ping and Co-Founder and Senior Vice President Ms Claire Chiang.
The programme also featured a City in Nature dialogue introduced by Ho Ren Yung, Deputy CEO at Banyan Group, which explored Singapore's City in Nature vision and the role of regenerative design, nature-positive development and collaborative stewardship in shaping future cities. Moderated by Dr Mark Watson, Group Director of Sustainability and Impact at Banyan Group, the dialogue brought together leading voices from conservation, design and architecture, including Mandai Wildlife Group Deputy CEO of Life Sciences and Chief Life Sciences Officer Dr Cheng Wen-Haur, DesignSingapore Council Executive Director Dawn Lim and WOW Architects Co-Founder Wong Chiu Man.
The Grand Opening Day concluded with an appreciation dinner honouring partners and collaborators. Hosted by emcee Paul Foster, the evening featured performances by Min Lee and young talents from Wolfgang Violin Studio, singer-songwriter Shazza, vocal band MICappella and Cultural Medallion recipient Dick Lee, whose rendition of "Home" closed the evening on a heartfelt note.
Inaugural Rainforest Festival Opens to Public Today
The inaugural Rainforest Festival runs from 27 November to 3 December 2025 (10am to 6pm daily) at Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree. Visitors can explore discovery trails, artisanal craft showcases, and refreshing treats in nature, alongside a daily line-up of wellbeing sessions, nature walks, creative workshops, family activities, and yoga and movement classes for all ages.
Over the weekend, the GREEN-HOUSE HangOut – a pocket-sized edition of Singapore's largest sustainable lifestyle event – brings together ten homegrown sustainable brands and live performances on Saturday by Wolfgang Violin Studio, Joie Tan, Jack & Rai, MICappella, and Heart Songs by Gabrielle Mendoza, while Beans & Beats takes over the festival stage on Sunday.
In support of the President's Challenge, all festival ticket proceeds will be donated and matched dollar-for-dollar by Banyan Group. An additional 20 per cent of proceeds from the paid experiences by Mandai Wildlife Group and the resort, as well as from the sale of SG60-exclusive merchandise at Banyan Gallery, will also be donated. All donated proceeds will match dollar-for-dollar from the Government under the SG60 Matching Grants.
General Admission tickets are S$10 on weekdays and S$15 on weekends; with free entry for children under four with an accompanying adult, in-house resort guests and participants of paid tours, ecology or culinary experiences at the resort and the Mandai Wildlife Reserve during the festival week. Festival ticket holders enjoy discounts on admission to Rainforest Wild Asia, Bird Paradise and Curiosity Cove, selected dining and retail perks across the destination as well as Planter's Shed, Banyan Tree Spa, and Banyan Tree Gallery at the resort.
Silver Generation Weekday Retreat
In celebration of the grand opening and SG60, the resort has also introduced a Silver Staycation weekday retreat designed for seniors aged 60 and above, available for stays until 30 April 2026. The offer includes daily breakfast for two, advance purchase savings, and a complimentary Family Room upgrade for those travelling with grandchildren, subject to availability. Guests enjoy a weekday stay from Sundays to Thursdays, along with a SG$100 nett resort credit redeemable across dining at Forage or Planter's Shed, Banyan Tree Spa treatments, in-resort experiences and park admission tickets arranged through the resort's concierge team. For more information, visit the Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree.
For more information about the Rainforest Festival programme, updates and ticketing information, visit banyantree.com/rainforest-festival and programme guide here.
For high-resolution images, please download here.
For event overview, refer to Rainforest Festival Fact Sheet in Annex A
ABOUT BANYAN GROUP
Banyan Group ("Banyan Tree Holdings Limited" or the "Group" - SGX: B58) is an independent, global hospitality company with purpose. The Group prides itself on its pioneering spirit, design-led experiences and commitment to responsible stewardship. Its extensive portfolio spans 100 hotels and resorts, over 140 spas and galleries, and 20 plus branded residences in over 20 countries. Comprising 12 global brands, including the flagship brand Banyan Tree, each distinct yet united under the experiential membership programme with Banyan. The founding ethos of "Embracing the Environment, Empowering People" is embodied through the Banyan Global Foundation and Banyan Academy. Banyan Group is committed to remaining the leading advocate of sustainable travel, with a focus on regenerative tourism and innovative programmes that elevate the guest experience.
ABOUT MANDAI RAINFOREST RESORT BY BANYAN TREE
Located within Singapore's Mandai Wildlife Reserve, Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree offers conscious stays designed to bring forth an awakening in the rainforest. At its doorstep are world-renowned wildlife parks – home to over 20,000 animals, and nature-inspired activities where guests can enjoy wildlife encounters and experiential learning journeys that connect them to the fascinating world of nature and wildlife. Biophilia deeply influences the resort's architecture and is infused in all programmes, signature amenities and services, immersing guests in the wonders of the rainforest and offering a respite from the urban jungle.
Owned by Mandai Wildlife Group, Singapore's first Super Low Energy resort is operated by Banyan Tree, renowned internationally for its signature Asian hospitality, spa and wellbeing experiences, and for its stewardship of the environment and communities. Mandai Rainforest Resort is Banyan Group's first resort in Singapore, marking a homecoming for the brand.
ABOUT MANDAI WILDLIFE GROUP
Mandai Wildlife Group is dedicated to caring for the planet and protecting animals and nature. Conservation education is intrinsic in all interactions with the Group, to inspire action for a healthier world.
Mandai Wildlife Group is the steward of the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, a unique wildlife and nature destination in Singapore that is home to world-renown wildlife parks which connect visitors to the fascinating world of wildlife. The Group is driving an exciting rejuvenation plan at the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, adjacent to Singapore's Central Catchment Nature Reserve, that will integrate five wildlife parks with distinctive nature-based experiences, green public spaces and an eco-friendly resort.
Mandai Wildlife Group advocates for biodiversity, contributes to leading wildlife research, develops innovative solutions to promote living sustainably, and collaborates with conservation partners in Singapore and Southeast Asia.
The Group provides funding and in-kind support to its conservation arm, Mandai Nature, for conservation work across Southeast Asia. Mandai X, an entity that is part of the Group, is the growth accelerator and venture-building arm that sparks, catalyses and accelerates innovative ventures in new domains that drive growth and impact at scale.
More information can be found at www.mandai.com
Facebook: MandaiWildlifeReserve | Instagram: MandaiWildlifeReserve | TikTok: MandaiWildlifeReserve
Annex A: Rainforest Festival Fact Sheet
EVENT OVERVIEW
- Dates: Thursday, 27 November to Wednesday, 3 December 2025
- Hours: 10am to 6pm daily
- Venue: Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree, 60 Mandai Lake Rd, Singapore 729979
- Tickets: S$10 weekdays, S$15 weekends. Admission is free for children under four with an accompanying adult, in-house resort guests and participants of paid tours, ecology or culinary experiences at Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree and Mandai Wildlife Reserve during the festival week
- Beneficiary: President's Challenge. Proceeds from festival admission tickets will be donated and matched 1:1 by Banyan Group, with an additional 20 per cent of proceeds from paid experiences donated by Mandai Wildlife Group and Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree and proceeds from sales resort-exclusive merchandise from Banyan Tree Gallery and a further Government match under the SG60 Matching Grants.
- Festival Website: banyantree.com/rainforest-festival
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
- Explore the resort and discover how sustainable design, biodiversity, and wellbeing come together through discovery and nature trails, and artisanal showcases.
- Enjoy complimentary refreshments and tastings celebrating local craftsmanship, responsible sourcing, and circular creativity.
- Access complimentary add-on wellbeing, nature and family activities, to be released for advance booking progressively on a first-come, first-served basis via email.
WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS
- Experience GREEN-HOUSE HangOut, a pocket-sized edition of Singapore's largest sustainable lifestyle event, featuring ten homegrown brands offering eco-conscious creations and rainforest-inspired DIY workshops.
- Catch exclusive performances featuring sets from Singapore's most beloved voices and rising stars at the Festival Stage:
- Saturday, 29 November 2025: Wolfgang Violin Studio (11am), Joie Tan (1pm), Jack & Rai (2.30pm), Heart Songs by Gabrielle Mendoza (4.15pm), and MICappella (5.30pm)
- Sunday, 30 November 2025: Beans&Beats (12pm – 4pm)
ADMISSION TICKETS
- General Admission Ticket – Weekday (S$10/pax) includes access to the festival and same-day complimentary add-on activities on a first-come, first-served basis. Activity sessions will be released progressively to ticket holders via email.
- General Admission Ticket – Weekend (S$15/pax) includes access to the festival, GREEN-HOUSE HangOut, Festival Stage entertainment, and same-day complimentary add-on activities on a first-come, first-served basis. Activity sessions will be released progressively to ticket holders via email.
- Guests participating in paid tours, ecology or culinary experiences at Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree and the Mandai Wildlife Reserve during the festival week will receive free admission tickets to the festival.
- Admission to the festival is free for children under four with an accompanying adult, in-house guests and participants of paid resort experiences.
SOURCE Banyan Group
MEDIA CONTACT (INTERNATIONAL): Charmaine Lin, Group Communications Director, Banyan Group, [email protected]; Shi Ning Ng, Group Communications Manager, Banyan Group, [email protected]; Loh Pui Ying, Communications, Mandai Wildlife Group, [email protected]; Rachel Ang, Communications, Mandai Wildlife Group, [email protected]
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