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At Anantara Maia Seychelles Villas, where nature and design exist in seamless harmony, the gardens are as integral to the guest experience as the villas themselves. At the heart of this living landscape is Allan Marguerite, Chief Gardener, whose dedication has shaped and preserved one of the most distinctive tropical environments in the Indian Ocean.
Having joined the resort in 2008, Allan has played a defining role in maintaining the integrity and evolution of the gardens originally conceptualised by renowned designer Bill Bensley. Today, he leads a team of 12 skilled gardeners responsible for nurturing nearly 300 species of exotic and endemic plants across the property.
Under Allan’s stewardship, the gardens have flourished into a vibrant sanctuary that reflects both Seychelles’ rich biodiversity and the artistic vision of the resort. His approach combines technical expertise with a deep respect for nature, ensuring that each element of the landscape contributes to a sense of tranquility and immersion for guests.
We sat down with Allan to talk about all things gardening and what fuels his passion for the craft.
Can you tell us about your background and how you first became interested in gardening and horticulture, before joining Anantara Maia Seychelles Villas?
After finishing primary school, I attended the National Youth Service (NYS), which was a semi-military programme in the Seychelles at the time. I then went on to the Seychelles Polytechnic School of Agriculture, where I completed my basic studies in the first year and specialised in horticulture in my second year. Before joining the resort, I worked at the Environment Department as an Assistant Forestry Officer, studied abroad for a year, and briefly explored other fields before returning to my roots in forestry and the environment.
What was it like joining the resort in 2008 and taking on the gardens that Bill Bensley had originally conceptualised, and what was your first priority?
I joined the property in April 2008, during the third year of the garden's development. While Bill Bensley conceptualised the initial structures, a South African company named Earthquest spent two years executing and organising the original garden designs. When I took over, my very first priority was to establish order. The environment was somewhat chaotic, compounded by staffing issues at the time, and I needed to bring structure to both my team and the grounds.
Leading a team of 12 gardeners across nearly 300 species is no small task. What has been the biggest challenge you have faced in maintaining and evolving these gardens over the years?
My primary challenge was the initial layout of the gardens. While the plants were growing vigorously, the design was disorganised, with plants scattered indiscriminately everywhere. I had to systematically remove certain elements and completely redesign the layout to create the highly organised and structured landscape that you see today.
If you could introduce our guests to just one plant in the gardens, which one would it be and why?
While our guests absolutely love the lemongrass, which my team uses to make a popular guest drink, I personally cannot choose just one. I consider all the plants my 'babies' and believe that any plant placed in the right condition is beautiful in its own way.
After so many years here, what keeps you passionate about this work, and is there anything you are still hoping to achieve or introduce to the gardens in the future?
My passion is fuelled by a massive, recurring project: every four years, my team completely redesigns and replants the Maia gardens from top to bottom. It's a massive undertaking that takes about a year and a half to complete. I also take great pride in building and training my gardening team.