The foundation of the Costa Rei resort dates back to the mid-1960s and was based on the model of the famous Costa Smeralda.
It was developed on the initiative of the Belgian Guido Van Alphen, son of the owner of a real estate agency, who wished to follow the example set by Prince Karim Aga Khan in the area of Arzachena.
This Belgian entrepreneur, together with some partners, raised investment capital, purchased land from the local shepherds and carried out the first development projects between Capo Ferrato and Cala Sinzias.
Splendid villas came into being, many of them designed by Eric Balliu, winner of the award Premio Roma Architettura. Other projects included the Grand Hotel Capo Boi at Villasimius and the first village at Torre delle Stelle. The name for the resort was chosen from the military maps which indicated the marsh area known as Piscina Rei and the hill of Sa Punta Rei.
