When it comes to staycations, I naturally gravitate towards accommodations that are surrounded by nature, so staying at Mandai Rainforest Resort had been on my wishlist for quite some time. Located right next to the Mandai Wildlife Parks, it’s the perfect place if you’re planning to visit attractions like Singapore Zoo, Bird Paradise or Rainforest Wild Adventure during your stay. It definitely made the whole experience feel more immersive and memorable.
One of the first things I noticed was how seamlessly the resort blends into its surroundings. Nestled amidst lush greenery, it really feels as though you’re staying in the middle of a rainforest. Beyond the aesthetics, I also appreciate the resort’s sustainability efforts, with thoughtful design choices and conservation-conscious features incorporated throughout the property.
We stayed in the Sanctuary King Room, which felt spacious, cosy and tastefully designed with nature-inspired elements. The highlight for me was undoubtedly the stunning Upper Seletar Reservoir view. Waking up to the scenery was incredibly peaceful, and yes, you can even enjoy the view while taking a shower thanks to the bathroom’s floor-to-ceiling windows. If you’d rather wake up to lush rainforest views instead, there are other room categories overlooking the surrounding greenery.
The room layout is a little different from most hotels, with the bed facing the bathroom. Personally, I didn’t mind it, and if you prefer, there’s a sliding door that completely separates the bathroom from the bedroom. Another feature I loved was the double vanity and the generously sized countertop, plenty of space to spread out all my skincare and makeup (I’m sure fellow girls will relate!).
A nice touch is that the windows can be fully opened to let in the natural breeze, allowing you to enjoy the fresh rainforest air. Just note that the air-conditioning automatically switches off when the windows are open. The rooms are also fitted with insect mesh screens, so you can enjoy the ventilation without worrying about mosquitoes flying in.
We didn’t particularly enjoy our dinner at Planter’s Shed, but thankfully breakfast was a much better experience. While the selection wasn’t especially extensive or luxurious compared to some other hotels, it had a decent variety and included a few items that you don’t commonly see at hotel breakfast buffets, such as hummus and other savoury spreads for bread. Overall, it’s a perfectly adequate breakfast, especially if it’s included with your stay.
Since we had signed up for the complimentary morning yoga and sound bath session afterwards, we intentionally kept breakfast light. The wellness activity is one of the resort’s complimentary in-house experiences and can be reserved online before your stay. It was a relaxing way to start the day and complemented the tranquil rainforest setting beautifully.
Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time to fully enjoy the resort’s facilities. We had planned to visit both the gym and swimming pool, but our schedule was packed. It was a real pity because the infinity pool overlooks the Upper Seletar Reservoir and looked absolutely stunning. If you’re staying here, I’d definitely recommend setting aside some time to make full use of the facilities, they’re very much part of the overall experience.
Location: 60 Mandai Lake Rd, Singapore 729979
