Casa La Roza

A custom built valley house in the foothills of the Picos de Europa, filled with art from around the world and a river at the bottom of the garden

The first thing that strikes you about Casa La Roza is that it doesn't feel like a holiday rental at all. It feels like a home that someone genuinely loves and has chosen to share. Built by its owners, Sheila and Mark, who originally purchased the house as there own holiday home — more on that below — it combines traditional Asturian architecture with the comforts of a modern house, filled with art and furniture gathered during there travels. The result is somewhere that feels lived-in, personal and deeply cared for. 

The house sits in its own private valley in Peruyes, with 5,000m² of gardens rolling down to the banks of the Rio Zardón. Hills enclose the property on all sides, while the peaks of the Picos de Europa rise dramatically beyond. It's a beautiful setting, defined by slow, misty mornings, dark star-filled nights and the constant sound of the river below. 

Where You Sleep 

The house accommodates ten guests over three floors. On the first floor, the master bedroom features king-size comfort, a small desk, and an ensuite with both a rain shower and a proper bath, all looking out over the valley. The middle floor holds also more two bedrooms: one with a queen bed and a bathroom just across the hall, and another with a flexible queen bed (which splits into two singles) and its own ensuite walk-in shower. Tucked under the eaves on the top floor, the attic provides four single beds and a dedicated bathroom — a space younger guests typically claim immediately. 

Backstory 

Sheila and Mark  built Casa La Roza to be there own holiday home, and that care shows in every corner. They designed the space for genuine comfort rather than simple utility, decorating it with the pieces that shaped there own travels. They wanted a place that functioned as a home from home retreat, and judging by the number of guests who extend their stay - and those who describe it as the best house they've ever rented - they seems to have achieved exactly that. 

Experiences and Activities 

Most days here naturally centre around the garden. There is a wide, flat lawn for games or yoga, and a path at the bottom of the grounds that leads directly to a secluded, quiet stretch of the Rio Zardón. 

For dining, a traditional stone hórreo (an Asturian granary) has been repurposed into a sheltered outdoor kitchen and dining area. With two barbecues and all the necessary tools, it's designed to be used whatever the weather. For downtime, there is a wood-fired barrel sauna in the corner of the garden, complete with a cold dip tank and benches for cooling off while overlooking the valley. 

When the skies are clear, the terrace is an exceptional spot for stargazing - without light pollution, the Milky Way is frequently visible. 

Beyond the garden, the location is a bridge between the mountains and the sea. The Picos de Europa are on your doorstep for everything from gentle valley strolls to serious mountain trekking. A twenty-minute drive takes you to Cangas de Onís, known for its Roman bridge and Sunday market, or, in the other direction, to Ribadesella, where the River Sella meets the sea. Here you will find a sandy beach, excellent local seafood restaurants and the prehistoric cave art of Tito Bustillo. A little further away, around forty minutes by car, lies the historic town of Llanes. Whether you want to fill your days with kayaking, surfing and cycling, or simply stay quietly by the river and enjoy the sauna, the house adapts beautifully to both rhythms.

 We Think You'll Love 

• Relaxing to the consistent sound of the Rio Zardón 

• The ritual of the wood-fired sauna followed by a cold dip 

• Stargazing from the terrace — the dark skies here are spectacular 

• Dining in the hórreo come rain or shine 

• Cooking in a kitchen that is stocked for actual chefs, not just minimalists 

• The view from the master bedroom first thing in the morning 

• The fact that the house feels even better in person than the photos suggest 

Getting There & Getting Around 

A car is essential for visiting this part of Asturias, though the driving itself is one of the region's greatest pleasures. You will find yourself navigating mountain passes, dramatic coastal cliffs and lush river valleys. 

The house is in Peruyes, municipality of Cangas de Onís, well positioned for travel from the major northern airports: 

• Asturias Airport — approximately 1.5 hour away 

• Santander — roughly 1.5 hours away 

• Bilbao — about 2.5 hours away 

There is ample on-site parking for several cars. Once you arrive, you are twenty minutes from the amenities of Cangas de Onís (shops, markets, mountain access) and twenty minutes from the coastal charms of Ribadesella. 

This is a part of Spain that remains unhurried and genuinely local, and Casa La Roza serves as a quiet, private base for exploring it.