Hospitality & Wellness Advisory

Shaping wellness destinations that endure.

Boutique advisory at the intersection of luxury hospitality, operational excellence, and the next generation of wellness, from first concept to long-term performance.

Discover the practice →
D
Our conviction

Wellness with purpose. We are drawn to projects that leave something lasting: for the guest, for the land, and for the business behind it.

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02 · The Practice

25 years.
Every level.

DAVA is the independent advisory practice of Maria V. Herrera, built on 25 years of lived luxury hospitality experience and a deep conviction that the best wellness destinations are those designed to genuinely contribute something lasting.

Maria V. Herrera, Founder & Principal Advisor of DAVA Hospitality & Wellness Advisory
Maria V.
Herrera
Founder · Principal Advisor

"I have held every role in this industry, from the treatment table to overseeing eight Four Seasons spas across Europe. That breadth is the lens through which I see every project."

Luxury Spa Leadership Pre-Opening Specialist Product Development Financial Modelling Longevity & Healthspan Greenfield Projects
2024 –
Present
Founder & Principal Advisor
DAVA Hospitality & Wellness Advisory Ltd

Independent advisory practice specialising in destination wellness, longevity concepts, and operational excellence for luxury hotel and resort clients globally. Current projects span Southern Europe, the Mediterranean, and Latin America.

2017 –
2024
Co-Founder, Skincare & Consultancy
MOSS of the Isles · Moss Wellness Consultancy

Self-funded and developed MOSS of the Isles, a luxury skincare brand built from formulation through compliance, branding, and market launch. Simultaneously co-led an award-winning wellness consultancy with projects recognised by Virtuoso, Condé Nast, and Tatler.

2016 –
2017
Pre-Opening Operations Consultant
Four Seasons at London Ten Trinity Square

Directed all operational procedures, service standards and training for a landmark luxury opening in the City of London.

2013 –
2016
Senior Director of Spa, Europe
Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts

Responsible for 8 European properties: revenue strategy, financial audits, and portfolio performance in collaboration with General Managers across the continent.

2010 –
2013
Director of Spa
Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire, UK

Grew retail revenue from 3% to 12% of total spa income through strategic menu engineering and team development.

1997 –
2010
Esthetician → Director of Spa → International Educator
Palm-Aire Resort · Four Seasons Palm Beach · Wilma Schumann Skincare

Started on the treatment table. Built expertise from hands-on therapy through international product education across the Americas, Middle East, and Asia. Promoted from Pre-Opening Assistant Director to Director of Spa within five months at Four Seasons.

03 · Services

The scope of
the practice

Eight areas of expertise, available as a complete end-to-end engagement or targeted advisory focused precisely where your project needs it most.

01
Discovery & Concept

Greenfield concept development, market research, and business planning grounded in commercial reality from the very first conversation.

02
Space Development

Wellness space allocation and design advisory ensuring every square metre performs commercially and experientially.

03
Longevity & Healthspan

Science-led longevity programming and healthspan-optimised treatment menus for forward-thinking destinations.

04
Operations & Standards

Full SOPs, pre-opening delivery, and operational design refined across multiple international luxury openings.

05
Financial Modelling

Detailed financial analysis, revenue strategy, and performance auditing developed across 8 Four Seasons properties and 3 independent projects.

06
Training & People

Training programs and service culture frameworks built for consistency and excellence at international luxury scale.

07
Product Development

Full product lifecycle: formulation, compliance, branding, packaging, and market launch. Proven through MOSS of the Isles.

08
Brand & Positioning

Wellness brand strategy and destination positioning that connects authentically with luxury hospitality audiences worldwide.

04 · Selected Projects

Recent
engagements

A selection of recent projects, each shaped by a conviction that exceptional wellness destinations have a deeper purpose than their brief.

I
Mediterranean · Greece
Longevity &
Performance Hub
Luxury Resort · Lead Project

A longevity and performance wellness concept within an established luxury Mediterranean resort, bringing science-led healthspan programming into the luxury hospitality context. Full scope from discovery and concept through to operational launch.

Longevity Healthspan Concept Design Operations Lead Advisory
II
Latin America · Mexico
Destination
Wellness Resort
Full Resort Concept

Full destination wellness resort concept: market positioning, spatial planning, treatment menu engineering, operational systems, and financial modelling for an immersive restorative destination.

Resort Concept Financial Model Operations
III
Southern Europe · Italy
Land-Connected
Wellness Estate
Agriwellness · Greenfield

A land-rooted wellness destination in Tuscany where agriculture, terroir, and restorative hospitality converge, built around a genuine relationship between the land, the guest, and the experience.

Greenfield Land-Connected Concept
05 · The Collective

More than one
perspective.

DAVA operates as part of a wider collective, a curated network of industry specialists assembled around each project to bring exactly the expertise it requires.

Every project benefits from a collective of carefully selected specialists (architects, interior designers, wellness technologists, product specialists, and operators) curated and led by Maria around the specific needs of each engagement.

🏛️
Architects & Spatial Designers

Shaping the physical language of your wellness destination, from masterplan to detail.

🎨
Interior Designers

Creating immersive environments that honour the culture and character of each place.

⚗️
Wellness Technologists

Science-led therapies, longevity modalities, and next-generation wellness protocols.

🧴
Product & Ritual Specialists

Curating the treatments, rituals, and retail offer that define the guest experience.

🤝
Specialist Vendors

Best-in-class suppliers, equipment, and technology partners, selected for each project.

🎓
Training Specialists

Building the human systems and service culture that sustain exceptional delivery.

How we work
Assembled around you

No two projects are the same. We assemble a collective that reflects the specific nature, scale, and ambition of your project: nothing excess, nothing missing. The result is senior advisory with specialist depth at every level.

Coming soon
A named collective

DAVA is part of a wider collaborative practice currently being formalised, bringing together complementary senior expertise in concept design, business development, and operational delivery under a shared brand. Details to follow.

06 · Contact

Let's talk
about your project.

Whether you're at the earliest stages of a wellness concept or looking for focused advisory on a specific challenge, we'd love to hear about your project.

Email mherrera.delnardo@gmail.com
Phone +44 7825 649429
Based Fleet, Hampshire, UK · Global practice
Company DAVA Hospitality & Wellness Advisory Ltd
Co. No. 17194722