The Brownwood Hotel & Spa, a new 215,000-square-foot facility located at 3003 Brownwood Blvd., The Villages, Florida, is planned to open within the first quarter of 2020 with reservations now being accepted for guests, banquets, and on-site catered events. In addition, officials with The Brownwood Hotel & Spa have announced the selection of the facility’s leading executives, including Gilles Cassiani as general manager, Deanna Mangiardi as director of sales and Mary Yates as human resources manager.

A graduate from the Hospitality Institute of Nice, France, Cassiani joins The Brownwood Hotel & Spa after serving as area general manager for Wyndham Vacations in West Kissimmee where he oversaw Caribe Cove Resort and Bahama Bay Resort and Spa. Cassiani’s career has taken him to many parts of the world, including France, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Turkey, and the Caribbean Islands of Martinique, Guadeloupe, and St Lucia. Having over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Cassiani has held executive-level positions with Club Med, Hyatt, Marriott and Hilton Resorts.

“I am honored to lead the team opening The Brownwood Hotel & Spa. Our guests will be treated to all finest attributes the hospitality industry has to offer,” said Cassiani. “The gorgeous amenities and design of the hotel and spa, not only fit its surrounding but take into account the important historic aspects of Florida’s central region.”

While preparing The Brownwood Hotel & Spa for its opening, Mangiardi is also currently working with corporate and business clients interested in reserving banquet and catering services, and booking overnight guests. Before joining The Brownwood, Mangiardi served as director of sales for the Hilton Ocala in Ocala, Florida. She has experience with both independent and franchised properties, including the Cranwell Spa & Golf Resort in Lenox, Massachusetts. Mangiardi has also served on various travel industry boards.

Yates joins The Brownwood Hotel & Spa with extensive hospitality industry experience. She has served as human resources director for the Hilton Hotel in Manalapan, Florida, and led the human resource teams for the Embassy Suites and the Caribe Hilton in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Yates is currently planning The Brownwood’s upcoming job fairs, which will be held in December and January.

The Brownwood Hotel & Spa, located adjacent to the 285,000-square-foot center for Advanced Healthcare at Brownwood, will feature 151 guest rooms and suites. A 10,000-square-foot banquet and conference center with on-site catering and state-of-the-art technology are included within the facility. In addition to hotel and conference services, The Brownwood will include a 7,000-square-foot dry spa, which will offer standard and medical spa services.

The hotel, spa, and banquet facility will house Wolfgang Puck Kitchen + Bar, a restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating for 150 guests. Wolfgang Puck Kitchen and Bar will also include two private dining rooms and semi-private outdoor space.

When opened, The Brownwood Hotel & Spa is expected to employ 180 individuals.

Reservations for hotel, catering, and conference and banquet facilities are currently being accepted by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or by calling 352-626-1246.