At Del Mar Los Cabos, our journey has always been about more than building homes — it’s about shaping a lifestyle that is both timeless and extraordinary. For over 25 years, Del Mar has been the architect of the most coveted luxury real estate in Los Cabos, crafting Villas Del Mar, Espiritu Del Mar, and other landmark communities that set the standard for exclusivity, craftsmanship, and resort-style living on the Palmilla peninsula.
The name Palmilla has long echoed as a beacon of luxury in the Baja Peninsula — and while its roots stretch back to the 1950s, it was the vision of Del Mar founders Ron Hatfield and Ken Schnitzer in the 1990s that transformed Palmilla from a celebrated resort hideaway into a thriving gated community of beachfront residences and oceanview homes that attract discerning families from around the world.
Today, Del Mar Los Cabos represents the pinnacle of luxury resorts and real estate in Mexico, a place where privacy, prestige, and authentic Baja tradition converge. Our legacy is decades in the making — and it continues to evolve with every home and every community we build
Hugging the shores at the southernmost tip of the Baja Peninsula, Los Cabos is a place where natural beauty meets unparalleled luxury.
Palmilla has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1956. Today, our luxury properties and communities in the area are the epitome of luxury living amidst the natural charms of the Baja California Peninsula.
Learn more about our heritage and enduring legacy. Be part of our story. Explore our Cabo luxury real estate offerings and contact us today.
Early Beginnings
The Palmilla story begins in 1956 when Don Abelardo Rodriguez, son of the President of Mexico, and his wife Lucille Bremer — a Hollywood actress — opened the original Palmilla Hotel. Accessible only by yacht or private aircraft, the boutique 15-room resort was a secluded jewel that quickly drew the attention of celebrities, dignitaries, and world travelers seeking exclusivity.
Their hotel planted the first seeds of Los Cabos luxury hospitality, introducing the world to a desert-meets-ocean landscape unlike anywhere else.
The Transpeninsular Highway was completed in 1973, connecting Palmilla and Los Cabos more directly to mainland Mexico and igniting a surge of tourism. By the early 1980s, Palmilla Hotel had become the epicenter of glamour in Baja California Sur, recognized for its spectacular coastlines and serene retreats.
Key Developments and Milestones
In 1983, Don Kroll purchased Palmilla Hotel and the surrounding 900 acres, beginning the first wave of residential development in Los Cabos. This marked the transition of Palmilla from a hotel brand to a broader, planned destination community.
Momentum grew in the late 1980s and early 1990s:
Palmilla was now firmly established as a sanctuary of refined living. All it needed was visionaries who would elevate it into something extraordinary — a luxury real estate community where homes could rival the very best five-star resorts.
A Short Flight, a Long Weekend, and a 30 Year History of Friendship
The Visionaries: Ken Schnitzer and Ron Hatfield
In 1995, Texas developer Ken Schnitzer and entrepreneur Ron Hatfield arrived in Palmilla for what was meant to be a long weekend. Standing together on a hillside plot just above Palmilla Beach, with pristine views of the Sea of Cortez and the Sierra de la Laguna mountains, they saw more than just land — they saw potential for something extraordinary.
By 1996, they broke ground on the first Villas Del Mar residences. In 1997, the very first Casita was delivered — a private villa designed with American-standard construction, indoor-outdoor living, and lushly landscaped privacy. It was unlike anything Los Cabos had seen before.
Their model was revolutionary: build a gated community in Los Cabos where homeowners could enjoy beachfront luxury residences and unparalleled service infrastructure. Little did they know, this moment marked the birth of what would become Del Mar Los Cabos — a name synonymous today with exclusivity, legacy, and generational living.
Del Mar Community Development
By 1998, Del Mar had founded Del Mar Management, a property management and services company designed exclusively for Del Mar homeowners. The concept was innovative: provide five-star service and care for every residence, ensuring an effortless ownership experience. This included concierge teams, maintenance, and security — setting Del Mar apart from traditional resort-style living.
Throughout the 2000s, Palmilla’s luxury continued to grow under Del Mar’s stewardship:
Between 2007 and 2008, Ron Hatfield partnered with MSD Capital to develop Espiritu Del Mar, which expanded Del Mar’s footprint by adding new oceanview homesites. Just a year later, Del Mar celebrated the construction of its 200th luxury home.
By 2010, Del Mar had built more than just homes — it was building lifestyle pillars:
In 2014, Hurricane Odile struck, testing the strength of the community. Del Mar homeowners rallied, raising $1 million for employee relief — proof that Del Mar is more than real estate, it is a family of like-minded residents.
That same year, Del Mar Real Estate, the on-site brokerage, launched to connect global buyers with Del Mar’s exclusive portfolio.
The following years represented one milestone after another:
Despite global challenges like the 2020 pandemic, Del Mar continued to build. Current phases include Oasis Palmilla, Palmilla Hills, and Palmilla Parks — ensuring a broad portfolio of opportunities for new families who want a piece of this legacy.
Prospects, Sustainability, and Lifestyle
At Del Mar, sustainability and exclusivity are at the heart of our Cabo luxury real estate development ethos. For this reason, we’ve embarked on several projects to sustain our Palmilla communities, such as our desalination project.
To make our beachside communities water-independent, we’re investing in desalination plants that provide fresh water from the Sea of Cortez.
In addition, we plan to develop more exclusive parks, a longevity clinic, and sports facilities, as well as clubs, to enhance our health and wellness offerings further.
In partnership with Fortem Capital, our goal is to continually add amenities and properties that elevate the experience for every Palmilla guest.
Within the Del Mar communities are an array of amenities and private clubs that can elevate the living experiences of every resident and guest, including:
Del Mar’s Contribution to the Community
Since the mid-50s, the community of Palmilla has been carefully nurtured and skillfully developed into the exclusive and serene luxury destination we know today. Over the last 30 years, Del Mar Los Cabos has been the leader in luxury development.
Under the influence of Del Mar, increasingly luxury real estate properties have appeared and added to Los Cabos’s allure, although nothing beats the original. From Palmilla luxury villas to rental condos, there’s something for everyone looking to experience Cabo’s charm in luxury and comfort.
At Del Mar, our commitment to Cabo luxury real estate development is a story that’s decades in the making. The development of Palmilla and the Del Mar communities has been instrumental to the local area's life and vigor, creating numerous jobs in construction and hospitality.
Our efforts have enhanced local infrastructure and tourism, contributing to the economic growth of Palmilla and Los Cabos.
We've remained dedicated to preserving the region's natural beauty and heritage throughout this process. At the same time, we commit to fostering a vibrant and sustainable community.
Be Part of Our Story
Today, Del Mar continues to invest over $300 million into evolving Palmilla’s communities, creating more exclusive beachfront residences, private parks, and an upcoming longevity facility. Sustainability is central to our mission, with desalination technology ensuring a water-independent future. We remain committed to preserving our legacy while innovating for generations to come.
Del Mar has shaped Palmilla into an international symbol of luxury real estate in Los Cabos. What started with founders Ron Hatfield and Ken Schnitzer in 1996 is now a story of friendship, vision, and enduring commitment to create the finest gated community in Los Cabos — where every home is a masterpiece, and every resident shares in a tradition of authenticity and exclusivity.
Explore Del Mar Los Cabos, Villas Del Mar, and Palmilla’s luxury communities. Discover why Del Mar remains the benchmark for beachfront residences, oceanview estates, and luxury real estate in Los Cabos.
Del Mar Los Cabos is the leader in luxury real estate development, sales, and vacation properties in the Baja California del Sur Peninsula. Our difference lies in our expertise and dedication to excellence. We have built a legacy, from sea level to mountain top, to preserve the perfection of this place we call home.