Kristina M. D'Amico, Caribbean

Consulting Experience

Kristina is a Senior Vice President in the HVS Miami office, as well as the Director of the Caribbean Region. Her expertise encompasses consulting and valuation of existing and proposed hotels and resorts throughout Florida. Furthermore, Kristina’s significant international consulting, advisory, and appraisal experience includes assets in the Caribbean Basin across 22 Caribbean islands, as well as the Riviera Maya region of Mexico and many countries in Latin America.
 
Given her analytical skills, her creative-thinking ability, and her aptitude for solving problems that arise in complex projects, clients particularly value Kristina’s insights and recommendations regarding hotel room counts, product positioning, amenities, and branding for many types of proposed properties, including hotels, all-inclusive resorts, and mixed-use resorts with complementary real estate.
 
Kristina has valued over $2 billion of hospitality-driven real estate during her career and specializes in luxury, complex, all-inclusive, and mixed-use developments. Throughout her decade of experience, Kristina has performed market feasibility studies and appraisals for existing and proposed resorts exceeding 1,000 rooms, as well as resorts with ADR levels surpassing $1,000. Kristina has worked on many of the top trophy assets in both Florida and the Caribbean.
 
In addition to her consulting and valuation work, Kristina has used her extensive Caribbean market expertise to author numerous articles about assorted topics in this region and is a speaker at the Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference & Operations Summit (CHICOS).

Originally from New Jersey, Kristina earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida International University with a major in finance and a minor in hospitality studies. She is a state-certified general real estate appraiser (RZ 3822), working through the final requirements for her MAI designation.

Follow Kristina on LinkedIn.

HVS is the nation's leading consulting firm that is laser-focused on the hospitality sector. The firm provides expertise through every phase of ownership across a wide range of hospitality assets. We help clients succeed in the complex consulting arena, from feasibility studies to exit strategies and everything in between.

Testimonials

"HVS was recommended to our company, first-time hotel developers, by a colleague who had engaged them for a project in one of the other Caribbean islands. From the moment we engaged their services, we were impressed by the professionalism and expertise demonstrated by Kristina D’Amico, their consultant assigned to our project. HVS proved to be an outstanding consultancy in every sense of the word. Their responsiveness was exemplary, promptly addressing our inquiries and concerns throughout the entire process. It was evident that they understood the importance of timely communication and ensuring that we felt supported at every stage of the analysis. Their knowledge of the industry was remarkable. They possessed a deep understanding of the intricacies and challenges specific to our hotel project. This expertise was clearly reflected in the comprehensive analysis they presented to us. The report was not only clear and concise but also provided valuable insights and recommendations that showcased their profound understanding of the market dynamics and trends. Working with HVS is an absolute pleasure. Their professionalism, expertise, and commitment to excellence is truly outstanding. They have undoubtedly contributed significantly to our decision-making process, providing us with the necessary tools to move forward confidently with our hotel project." – Colin O'Neal, JOMA Properties

"I would recommend HVS and specifically John Lancet and his team to anyone endeavoring to understand the Caribbean hospitality and development landscape. His knowledge is impressive and the communication is first class. Thank you for a timely turnaround of our request, and it enabled us to make informed business decisions." – Patti Smith, CA, Replay Destinations

"HVS' expertise in the hospitality sector is unmatched. I appreciate the insights provided by HVS on this last appraisal and look forward to working with HVS again in the future." – Richard Cadena, BHI Bank

"HVS did a great job of delivering a quality work product on time and as efficiently as possible." – Michael Battin, Bixby Bridge Capital

"The team members are real professionals. They are committed and do real research even in cases of niche assets and markets." – Mr. Boumendil, Boho

"The insights and recommendations we received from HVS were very valuable in the definition of our new development. The guidance of an expert during the early stages of the project is a crucial element for commercial and financial success." – Mr. Granados, Inversiones y Construcciones

Education

Florida International University - Miami, Florida

Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance, Cum Laude Minor in Hospitality Studies

Appraisal Institute Training Classes Completed:
Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice
Basic Appraisal Procedures
Basic Appraisal Principles
General Appraiser Report Writing and Case Studies
General Appraiser Income Approach (Parts I and II)
Statistics, Modeling and Finance
General Appraiser Market Analysis and HBU
General Appraiser Sales Comparison Approach
General Appraiser Site Valuation and Cost Approach
Advanced Income
Advanced Market Analysis & HBU
Florida Law Class
Quantitative Analysis
Advanced Concepts and Case Studies
Business Practices and Ethics
50% FEMA Appraisal Law
Ignorance Isn't Bliss
Managing Unusual Appraisal and Litigation Assignments
Basics of Expert Witness
Capstone – Demo Report
Biennial USPAP Updates

Employment History

2011 - Present
HVS CONSULTING & VALUATION
Senior Vice President - Caribbean Region Director
Miami, Florida
 

Hotels Evaluated

Sample List for Illustrative Purposes

PORTFOLIO WORK
7 Extended Stay America Hotels, Miami
5 Motel 6 Hotels, South Florida
3 Resort & Spa Properties, Willemstad, Curaçao
 
ALABAMA
Courtyard by Marriott, Gulf Shores
Courtyard by Marriott, Montgomery
 
ARIZONA
Hampton Inn Phoenix Chandler, Chandler
Proposed Canopy by Hilton, Tempe
 
CALIFORNIA
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Napa American Canyon, American Canyon
Holiday Inn, Long Beach
Hotel Queen Mary, Long Beach
La Koreana LLC Valuation, Long Beach
Fairfield Inn & Suites, Napa
Pickwick Hotel, San Francisco
Queen Mary, Long Beach
Ventana Big Sur, Big Sur
 
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
St. Regis, Washington
 
FLORIDA
Hilton Orlando/Altamonte Springs, Altamonte Springs
AC Hotel by Marriott Miami Aventura, Aventura
SERENA Hotel Aventura Tapestry Collection by Hilton, Aventura
Proposed Aloft Hotel, Aventura
Turnberry Isle Miami Autograph Collection, Aventura
Ritz-Carlton, Bal Harbour
St. Regis Bal Harbour, Bal Harbour
Belleview Biltmore, Bellaire
Courtyard by Marriott Riverfront, Bradenton
Springhill Suites by Marriott Brandon Tampa, Brandon
Proposed Aloft Hotel, Brickell
Hampton Inn Clearwater Central, Clearwater
Proposed Beachwalk Inn, Clearwater
Holiday Inn & Suites, Clearwater Beach
Hilton Clearwater Beach, Clearwater Beach
Pier House 60, Clearwater Beach
Proposed JW Marriott, Clearwater Beach
Proposed Wyndham Grand Hotel, Clearwater Beach
Proposed Westin, Cocoa Beach
Residence Inn by Marriott Miami Coconut Grove, Coconut Grove
THesis Hotel Miami, Coral Gables
Studio 6 Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs
Proposed Cove Hotel, Deerfield Beach
Proposed Full-Service Hotel, Deerfield Beach
Proposed Hotel Downtown Doral, Doral
Tru by Hilton Florida City, Florida City
Home2 Suites by Hilton Florida City Florida, Florida City 
Courtyard by Marriott Cruise Port, Fort Lauderdale
Hampton by Hilton Fort Lauderdale Cypress Creek, Fort Lauderdale
Proposed Dual-Branded Home2/Tru, Fort Lauderdale
Proposed Extended-Stay Hotel, Fort Lauderdale
Candlewood Suites Fort Myers Sanibel Gateway, Fort Myers
Seabonay Beach Resort, Hillsboro Beach
Courtyard by Marriott, Homestead
Courtyard by Marriott Jensen Beach, Hutchinson Island
Chesapeake Beach Resort, Islamorada
Courtyard by Marriott, Key West
Crowne Plaza La Concha, Key West
Inn at Key West, Key West
Marriott Beachside, Key West
Saint Hotel Key West, Key West
Proposed Luxury Boutique Hotel, Key Biscayne
Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne
Proposed Value Place, Lake Worth
Motel 6, Lantana
Proposed Relais & Chateaux, Longboat Key
St. Regis Longboat Key Resort & Residences, Longboat Key
Proposed Lifestyle Hotel, Madeira Beach
Rainbow Bend Resort, Marathon
Holiday Inn Melbourne Viera Conference Center, Melbourne
Proposed Hyatt Place, Melbourne
EAST Miami, Miami
Four Seasons, Miami
Habitat Miami, Miami
JW Marriott Marquis Miami, Miami
Marriott Miami Dadeland, Miami
Proposed Hilton Garden Inn, Miami
Proposed Homewood Suites Brickell, Miami
Proposed Hotel, Miami
Proposed Hotel Coconut Grove, Miami
Proposed In-Terminal MIA Hotel, Miami
Proposed Luxury Hotel and Branded Residences, Miami
Proposed Redevelopment at 7880 Biscayne, Miami
Proposed Upscale Hotel at Baptist Hospital, Miami
Regency Miami Airport Hotel, Miami
Selina Little Havana Miami, Miami
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Miami Airport South, Miami
Tower Hotel, Miami
AC Hotel by Marriott, Miami Beach
Angler’s Boutique Hotel, Miami Beach
Balfour Hotel Miami Beach, Miami Beach
Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club Autograph Collection, Miami Beach
Carillon Hotel & Spa Miami Beach, Miami Beach
Clinton Hotel and Spa South Beach, Miami Beach
Delano, Miami Beach
Deauville Miami Beach Resort, Miami Beach
Dream South Beach, Miami Beach
Faena Miami Beach Hotel, Miami Beach
Fontainebleau Miami Beach, Miami Beach
Freehand Miami, Miami Beach
Grand Beach Hotel, Miami Beach
Greystone Hotel, Miami Beach
Lincoln Arms Suites, Miami Beach
Majestic Hotel South Beach, Miami Beach
Miami Beach Resort and Spa, Miami Beach
Penguin Hotel, Miami Beach
President Hotel, Miami Beach
Proposed 22 Park Ave Hotel, Miami Beach
Proposed Hotel, Miami Beach
Proposed Park Terrace Hotel, Miami Beach
Raleigh Miami Beach, Miami Beach
Residence Inn by Marriott Miami Beach South Beach, Miami Beach
Ritz-Carlton South Beach, Miami Beach
Sagamore Hotel Miami Beach, Miami Beach
Shelborne South Beach, Miami Beach
SLS Miami Beach, Miami Beach
Vintro South Beach Hotel, Miami Beach
La Quinta Inn & Suites, Miami Lakes
Naples Bay Resort, Naples
Proposed Gateway of Naples Hotel & Condominium, Naples
Proposed Select-Service Hotel, Opa Locka
Comfort Inn International, Orlando
JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa, Orlando
Westin Orlando Universal Boulevard, Orlando
Hilton Garden Inn, Palm Beach Gardens
Proposed Cambria Suites, Palmetto
Proposed Sheraton Hotel, Palmetto
SpringHill Suites by Marriott, Pensacola
Proposed Limited-Service Hilton-Branded Hotel, Plantation
Sheraton Suites Fort Lauderdale, Plantation
Wyndham Bay Point Resort, Panama City Beach
Club Med Sandpiper, Port St. Lucie
Kimpton Hotel Zamora, St. Pete Beach
Proposed Select-Service Hotel, St. Petersburg
Renaissance Vinoy Resort, St. Petersburg
Sirata Beach Resort, St. Petersburg Beach
Holiday Inn Sanibel, Sanibel Island
Sanibel Sundial Beach Resort & Spa, Sanibel Island
Sanibel Sunset, Sanibel Island
Seaside Inn, Sanibel Island
Proposed Full-Service Hotel, South Miami
Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club Surfside, Surfside
Grand Beach Surfside, Surfside
Proposed Hotel Valencia, Tallahassee
Wyndham Garden Tallahassee Capitol, Tallahassee
Best Western Bay Harbour Hotel, Tampa
Floridan Hotel, Tampa
Godfrey Hotel & Cabanas, Tampa
Hilton Downtown Tampa, Tampa
La Quinta Inn & Suites Tampa North I 75, Tampa
Marriott Tampa Airport, Tampa
Courtyard by Marriott West Palm Beach Airport, West Palm Beach
Proposed Canopy by Hilton, West Palm Beach
Proposed Hotel, West Palm Beach
Residence Inn by Marriott, West Palm Beach
 
GEORGIA
Vacant Land, Atlanta
Holiday Inn Savannah South I-95 Gateway, Savannah
 
HAWAII
Ewa Beach Golf Club, Ewa Beach
Hawaii Kai Golf Course, Honolulu
Polynesian Plaza, Honolulu
Queen Kapiolani, Honolulu
Residential Townhouse, Honolulu
Royal Hawaiian Golf Club, Kailua
Millani Golf Club in Hawaii, Mililani
 
LOUISIANA
Proposed Home2 Suites by Hilton, New Orleans
 
MICHIGAN
Proposed Thompson Hotel Detroit, Detroit
 
PUERTO RICO
Proposed Hotel, Boquerón
 
VIRGINIA
Proposed Inn & Conference Center, Middleburg
 
UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS
Grande Bay Residence Club, St. John
Pond Bay, St. John
Frenchman's Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort, Saint Thomas
Marriott’s Frenchman's Cove, Saint Thomas
 
 
INTERNATIONAL
 
Aruba
Manchebo Beach Resort, Eagle Beach, Oranjestad
Proposed Embassy Suites Aruba, Oranjestad
Holiday Inn Resort and Casino, Palm Beach
 
Anguilla
Proposed Royale Caribbean Resort
 
Antigua
Proposed Resort, Long Bay
Proposed Hotel at Ballast Beach
Proposed Ultra-Luxury Resort and Private Estate Home, Green Island
Proposed Resort and Branded Residences Half Moon Bay, Half Moon Bay
Proposed Rosewood Resort, Half Moon Bay
Proposed Hotel at Long Bay
Proposed Callaloo Cay Mixed-Use Development, Morris Bay
Proposed Luxury Hotel at Morris Bay
Proposed Luxury Hotel on Guiana Island
Proposed Ultra-Luxury Hotel on Crump Island
Proposed 4 Star Hotel on a 93-acre site
Proposed One&Only, Saint Johns
 
Barbados
Proposed Hyatt Ziva Barbados, Bridgetown
 
Bermuda
Proposed Hotel at Ariel Sands
Proposed 90-Room Hotel with 19 Condos and 10 Villas
 
Bahamas
Proposed AKA Hotel, Freeport
Proposed All-Suite Hotel, Freeport
Proposed Convention Center Hotel Breaker's Cay, Freeport
British Colonial Hilton, Nassau
Nassau Junkanoo Beach, Nassau
The Pointe Hotel & Condos, Nassau
Proposed Select-Service Hotel, Nassau
Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Hotel, Paradise Island
One & Only Ocean Club, Paradise Island
 
British Virgin Islands
Proposed Hotel, Tortola
 
Cayman Islands
Marriott, Grand Cayman
Proposed Grand Hyatt Hotel and Residences, Grand Cayman
Proposed Luxury Hotel Grand Cayman, Grand Cayman
 
Curaçao
Sunscapes
Kunuku Aqua Resort, Kashutuin
Hilton Curacao, Willemstad
Proposed Hotel, Willemstad
 
Costa Rica
Dreams Las Mareas, El Jobo La Cruz de Guanacaste
Proposed Zoetry, Guanacaste
Proposed Hotel Santa Teresa, Puntarenas
Proposed Hotel Barrio Escalante, San José
 
Dominican Republic
Proposed Hampton by Hilton, Boca Chica
Proposed Hotel at Las Americas, Boca Chica
Investor Proposal for Miches, Miches
Proposed Resort Miches, Miches
Proposed Secrets and Dreams Playa Esmeralda, Miches
Proposed Luxury Resort Playa Diamante, Playa Diamante
Proposed Playa Grande Land Valuation, Playa Grande
Proposed Surf Centric Hotel at Playa Encuentro, Puerto Plata
Proposed Tribute Hotel and Marriott Residences, Puerto Plata
Proposed Hilton Garden Punta Cana, Punta Cana
Proposed Hotel Project, Punta Cana
Proposed Punta Cana Resort, Punta Cana
Proposed Dual-Branded Hotel, Punta Cana
Proposed Mixed-Use Development, Punta Cana
Proposed AC by Marriott Santiago, Santiago
Embassy Suites by Hilton Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo
Proposed Boutique Hotel, Santo Domingo
 
Grenada
Proposed Kimpton Resort Grand Anse Beach, Grand Anse Beach
Proposed Hotel Grenada, Levera
 
Honduras
Proposed Hyatt Regency Condo-Hotel, Roatan
 
Jamaica
Proposed Hotel & Residences, Bull Bay
Proposed Hotel Montego Bay, Montego Bay
Proposed Luxury Hotel & Residences, Ocho Rios
Proposed All-Inclusive Resort Mammee Bay, Ocho Rios
 
Mexico
Secrets Aura, Cozumel
Sunscape Sabor, Cozumel
 
St. Barthélemy
Le Barthelemy
Le Sereno
Proposed Resort
Tropical Hôtel, Baie de Saint Jean
Villa Marie Saint-Barth, Gustavia
 
St. Maarten
Proposed Hotel at Indigo Bay
Proposed Roxxy Beach Hotel, Simpson Bay
 
St. Kitts and Nevis
Marriott St. Kitts Resort & Royal Beach Casino, Frigate Bay
Proposed One & Only Nevis, Nevis
Nisbet Plantation, Nevis
Proposed One & Only Resort, Nevis
Proposed Rosewood Hotel, Nevis
 
St. Lucia
Royalton Saint Lucia, Castries
Proposed Hotel, Vieux Fort
 
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Proposed Hotel, Saint Vincent
Proposed Hotel Union Island, Union Island
 
Trinidad and Tobago
Proposed Four Points Hotel
Proposed Four Points by Sheraton Piarco, Piarco
 
Turks and Caicos
Proposed Hotel
Proposed 5-Star Hotel, Providenciales
Proposed Andaz Hotel & Residences, Providenciales
Proposed Cooper Jack Bay Hotel, Providenciales
Proposed Grace Bay, Providenciales
Proposed Loren at Turtle Cove, Providenciales
Proposed Melia-Branded Hotel, Providenciales
Proposed Resort and Marina, Providenciales
Proposed Turks Cay Resort & Marina, Providenciales
Wymara Resort, Providenciales
Proposed Hotel Grace Bay, The Bight Settlement
 
Uruguay
Hyatt Centric Montevideo, Montevideo
Proposed Full-Service Luxury Hotel, Montevideo

Shared Ownership Experience

Since her first day at HVS, Kristina has been immersed in the shared-ownership industry and has worked on appraisals, feasibility studies, ad-valorem tax appeals, and unsold inventory valuations. The following is a partial list of her shared ownership experience:

ARIZONA 
Cibola Vista, Peoria
 
CALIFORNIA 
Welk Northstar Lodge, Lake Tahoe/Truckee
Proposed Timeshare Conversion, Palm Springs
Westin Mission Hills Villas, Rancho Mirage
 
CONNECTICUT 
Proposed Arnold Palmer Timeshare, Franklin
 
FLORIDA 
Daytona Seabreeze Resort, Daytona Beach
Wyndham Ocean Walk Resort, Daytona Beach
Silver Lake Resort, Kissimmee
Vacation Village at Parkway, Kissimmee
Bluegreen Fountains & Oasis Resort, Orlando
Hilton Grand Vacations Suites at International Drive, Orlando
Hilton Grand Vacations Suites at SeaWorld, Orlando
Proposed Hilton Grand Vacations Universal, Orlando
Sheraton Vistana Resort, Orlando
Sheraton Vistana Villages, Orlando
 
GEORGIA 
Ocean Lodge, St. Simons Island
  
HAWAII 
Proposed Timeshare Resort, Leeward Coast
 
NORTH CAROLINA 
Waterside at the Point, Edenton
 
SOUTH CAROLINA 
Proposed Bluegreen Timeshare, Charleston
Coral Sands North, Hilton Head
Proposed Hilton Grand Vacation Club, Hilton Head
Proposed Timeshare Development, Hilton Head
 
VERMONT 
Smugglers’ Notch Resort, Smugglers’ Notch
 
WISCONSIN 
Bluegreen Odyssey Dells Resort, Wisconsin Dells
 
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS 
Festiva Timeshare Resorts Inventory Valuations
 
UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS 
Grande Bay Residence Club, St. John
Pond Bay, St. John
 
INTERNATIONAL
 
Canada
Proposed Grand Niagara Timeshare Resort, Niagara Falls
 
St. Maarten
Interval International St. Maarten Member Profile
 
South America
Interval International Latin American Resident Member Profile

Affiliations

Candidate for Designation, Appraisal Institute

Authored Publications

Club Med + Skift, “The Evolution of the All-Inclusive Resort,” April 2015, pg. 15: http://bit.ly/1dLsatK

My Articles

The U.S. Virgin Islands: An Anticipated Record-Breaking Year

Following the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Irma and Maria and the effects of COVID-19, the U.S. Virgin Islands achieved the highest percentage increase in visitors between 2019 and 2022 of any Caribbean nation. This article explores tourism trends in this growing Caribbean destination.

• March 15, 2023 By Kristina M. D'Amico

• Hotel Operations , Development & Construction , Travel & Tourism , Economic Trends and Cycles , COVID-19 , Virgin Islands, U.S. , Caribbean

The Development Boom in the Dominican Republic

Over the last decade, the Dominican Republic has experienced robust growth in visitation, coupled with increased investment in the hospitality sector. This article explores the latest development trends in this important Caribbean destination.

• April 5, 2022 By Kristina M. D'Amico

• Hotel Operations , Development & Construction , Travel & Tourism , Economic Trends and Cycles , Resorts , Dominican Republic , Caribbean

Reactivating the Caribbean during the COVID-19 Pandemic

After record-breaking visitation in 2019, the Caribbean was well positioned for another stellar year. However, despite a very low infection rate in the region, the COVID-19 pandemic has presented a wide range of new challenges for stakeholders in the region.

• August 4, 2020 By Kristina M. D'Amico

• Hotel Operations , Travel & Tourism , Economic Trends and Cycles , Resorts , COVID-19 , Caribbean