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The Story Behind Club Ninety Six

Crafting Exclusive Experiences

Within the lush area of Palmilla in Los Cabos, 1996 marked the birth of a vision that seamlessly blended refined living with the region’s natural beauty. It was the year Villas Del Mar was born, and our exclusive private beach club was named in honor of that moment in time. Take a short walk or golf cart ride from your villa to the shores of Palmilla Beach and you’ll find Club Ninety Six, your place for community, connection, and an endless program of amenities, activities, and events.

Get to Know Our History
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Founding

Almost 30 years ago, Houston friends, business associates, and fellow visionaries Ken Schnitzer Sr. and Ron Hatfield took a four-day golfing vacation in Los Cabos. Ken Sr. had a vision for developing and selling beachfront property in the Palmilla area at a time when residential development in Los Cabos was still in its infancy. His dream was to create Villas Del Mar at Palmilla, a residential community offering the comforts of luxury U.S. living on an exclusive beachfront property in Mexico along with a world-class golf course. Now, his son, Douglas Schnitzer keeps that vision alive by running the company with our current president, David Bruce.

a fountain with flowers and trees by a beach

Early Years

After purchasing a small but ideal parcel of land, Ken Sr. built the first homes of Villas Del Mar around the former Hotel Palmilla, now the iconic One&Only Palmilla. With magnificent ocean views that cannot be found elsewhere, here, above the warm ocean waters and beneath the azure desert skies, lies an unexpected place. Officially opened in 2005, Club Ninety Six offers membership exclusive to homeowners, who gather together to craft memorable experiences.

a beach with a pool and buildings

Round 1 Renovations

2022 marked a pivotal chapter in Club Ninety Six's history, standing as the most transformational year since its inception and representing the culmination of 3 years of planning. Major enhancements included a remodeled kitchen with a new chef’s table, a modernized pool deck, and a fresh FF&E package, all elevating the luxury experience. Extensive landscaping improvements and the launch of Oceano, our exclusive oceanfront restaurant and bar, further underscored this landmark year in redefining resort elegance.

a pool surrounded by buildings and trees

Round 2 Renovations

Continuing on the momentum of 2022, during the summer of 2023, Club Ninety Six underwent a major pool refinishing, complete renovation of the kids pool, continued landscaping enhancements, and many other ‘behind the scenes’ projects to ensure members are able to enjoy Club Ninety Six to the fullest.

a pool with a slide in it

Current

Today, Club Ninety Six offers refined service and an elegant facility exclusively to members and their guests. For those fortunate families able to call Club Ninety Six home, the entire team looks forward to helping you create lasting memories for years to come.