Independent global hospitality firm Banyan Group marks the opening of its 100th property through its first-ever Rainforest Festival.

Celebrating the opening of the Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree, the week-long event also heralds the Group’s debut in Singapore. Indeed, the resort is seen as a vital addition to one of the city’s foremost attractions: the Mandai Wildlife Reserve.

A stunning finale to 100 Journeys

Running from 27th November to 3rd December, the Rainforest Festival is the grand finale of 100 Journeys, a hundred days of global activations across Banyan Group’s portfolio leading up to this landmark opening. All festival ticket proceeds will be donated and matched dollar-for-dollar by Banyan Group in support of the President’s Challenge, which benefits 60 programmes across 52 local charities and social service organisations, with a further dollar-for-dollar match from the Government under the SG60 Matching Grants.

As Banyan Group chief executive Eddy See explains: “The Rainforest Festival is our way of giving back as we mark our 100th milestone and a symbolic homecoming to Singapore. It also celebrates more than a decade of partnership and shared vision with Mandai Wildlife Group in bringing our flagship resort to life. The festival embodies our belief that travel can be a force for good – connecting people with nature, culture, and community. We are proud to support the President’s Challenge during SG60, honouring a nation that shares our commitment to a more caring and sustainable future.”

Celebrating sustainability and shared purpose

The Rainforest Festival invites visitors to discover how sustainable design, biodiversity, and wellbeing come together as Banyan Group celebrates its journey to 100 resorts and hotels across 20 countries and 12 brands. At the heart of the experience is the Discovery Trail, a self-guided exploration of the resort’s architecture and living design, revealing how it harmonises with the rainforest through elevated structures, tree preservation, and circular resource systems.

Along the way, guests can enjoy birdwatching, nature walks, and life-sized interactive installations that reimagine familiar childhood games, with opportunities to win exclusive resort stay experiences and gifts from Banyan Tree Essentials. Anchoring the trail is The Wishing Tree, a living artwork that blossoms with every contribution. As visitors add words of hope and intention to its growing canopy of leaves, the installation becomes a collective expression of renewal, connection, and community.

The Discovery Trail also features the Banyan Gallery Showcase, a curated collection of diversified crafts from around the world celebrating artisans Banyan Gallery has collaborated with across cultures and continents.

Festival go-ers can also unwind with complimentary refreshments and tastings that celebrate local craftsmanship, responsible sourcing, and circular creativity. Highlights include Gryphon Tea’s signature blend created exclusively for the resort, Owa Coffee’s wildlife-friendly brews, and a nostalgic ice cream bread sandwich.

Immerse yourself into an amazing weekend experience

Over the weekend, the resort’s ballroom will transform into an experiential marketplace with Into the Rainforest by GREEN-HOUSE HangOut, featuring sustainable creations and rainforest-inspired DIY experiences. The Festival Stage will host performances celebrating Singapore’s vibrant music and arts scene, including acts from Wolfgang Violin Studio and award-winning vocal band MICappella, embodying a shared spirit of creativity and community.

Exceptional exclusives

Throughout the week, ticket holders can look forward to exclusive add-on activities, including sessions at the award-winning Banyan Tree Spa. Guests can learn to handcraft body scrubs and attend yoga classes designed for all ages.

Complementing the festival week programme, paid experiences at the Mandai Wildlife Reserve will include guided park tours and exclusive culinary collaborations, making this a significant milestone for Banyan Group.