The Downtowners – Marco Ricci, Hotel AKA West Palm Director of Sales
September 23rd, 2026
Marco Ricci is the embodiment of the American Dream. His journey to Downtown West Palm Beach began thousands of miles away in Rome, Italy. He recalls that early in life he “developed a love for music, marketing, communication, and, above all, connecting with people,” which has enabled him to thrive in his career in sales and hospitality.
Before crossing the Atlantic Ocean, he spent a year working in London, England, an experience that he says “fueled my curiosity for new cultures and opportunities. In 2016, I took the leap and moved to New York City, eventually began working for Hotel AKA and, in 2022, relocated to West Palm Beach to become Director of Sales for the opening of Hotel AKA West Palm, the company’s first property in South Florida.”
When not at the hotel, Ricci loves spending time with his family.
“My wife and I are proud parents to our beautiful daughter, Stella, and our two Golden Retrievers, Cino and Cannella, who keep life entertaining,” Marco said. “I like to think of myself as someone who’s always looking for the next adventure and my wife, daughter, and our pooches share that passion. My wife and I love to travel, and over the years we’ve made exploring new places a big part of our lives.”
What do you like most about being in Downtown West Palm Beach?
I love its incredible energy. It’s a city that’s constantly evolving, and you can truly feel the excitement every time you walk its streets. There’s a sense that you’re witnessing something special. It’s a destination that’s growing into one of the most desirable places to live, work, and visit in South Florida.
The lifestyle is hard to beat. Within just a few blocks, you can enjoy an amazing selection of restaurants, coffee shops, rooftop bars, cultural events, boutique shopping, and beautiful green spaces. The fact that you can walk almost everywhere makes it even more enjoyable and creates a real sense of community.
From a hospitality perspective, it’s exciting to see how much attention Downtown West Palm Beach is receiving. People from around the globe are discovering what makes this city so unique.
What do you and your family do for fun in Downtown West Palm Beach?
One of the things we love most about Downtown West Palm Beach is that there’s always something to do, yet it never feels rushed. As a family, we enjoy spending as much time outdoors as possible, and Downtown makes that incredibly easy. You’ll often find us taking a walk along the Intracoastal Waterway, enjoying the waterfront views, or exploring CityPlace, where there’s always a great atmosphere, whether it’s shopping, dining, or simply people-watching. We’re also excited about new projects in the area, which are creating even more places for people to gather and connect.
How has Downtown West Palm Beach evolved since you’ve been here?
Everywhere you look, there’s a sense of progress. That includes new residential developments and modern office spaces, as well as exciting projects that are helping redefine the city’s landscape and creating even more reasons for people to live, work, and spend time Downtown.
And the growth isn’t just physical; it’s also cultural and economic as well. The restaurant scene continues to flourish, new businesses are opening, and the city is attracting talented professionals, entrepreneurs, and families from all over the U.S., and around the globe. There’s a real sense of optimism and momentum that you can feel every day.