Hi there, we are Maarten and Sarah. We have a passion for sports and traveling (if possible by bicycle) and we love Spain. Maarten has worked in hospitality for over 10 years, and Sarah has worked as a volunteer in different places in the world in the care and hospitality sector, while professionally working in project management.
For a long time we’ve had the dream to start our own hospitality business. This dream came true when we purchased a beautiful old mansion in Callosa d’en Sarria in 2022. Having been completely renovated between 2001 and 2009, this stunning casa looks like a castle in the middle of the town.Â
At Casa Lola Callosa, we cater to various types of travelers, because we understand everyone experiences vacation differently. We’re located at the base of some of the most popular cycling routes in the Costa Blanca and only a short hop away from mesmerizing hiking trails in the Bernia mountains. Not to mention, our spot is just twenty minutes from the beaches and the hype of Altea, or thirty minutes from the shops and bars in Benidorm. Whatever you’re into, we guarantee you’ll find it here!
We work together with our sister (in law) Ruchamah and her husband Jur. They have been operating a successful holiday rental business in the Costa Blanca for over 10 years, are stars in customer service and know the region like no one else. Booking can be done through their website lavillaenrose.com (no commission added to the prices on our site).
A house with a story
The history of Casa Lola Callosa
Casa Lola Callosa is a remarkable sight to behold on the charming streets of Callosa d’en Sarria, both today and in the past. The house was built in the early 1900s by a factory owner from Valencia, Señor Badia. He was a man of means, being the first person to own a car in Callosa, and he could rightfully say that he owned the most beautiful house in town. It was also located in a central spot, right next to the washing street, where women would come from all over the village to wash their clothes and linen. Although it is no longer used for this purpose, the washing street is still flowing with crystal-clear mountain water to this day.
In 1947, a Callosan family purchased the house, and some of the kids who grew up there are still alive today. We talked to one of them and he told us all about the old days when there were stables for horses and pens for rabbits and chickens where the outdoor kitchen is now. The ‘campo’ started where the pool is now: countryside as far as you could see. And guess what? The water from the washing street used to flow straight through the house. How cool is that!
The children that grew up in the house in the 1950s moved to other places. After their parents passed away, the house stood empty for about a decade. it was not in the best shape, to say the least, when in 2001 an enthusiastic Norwegian couple, Knut and Birgit Aam, took on the challenge of renovating the house entirely in traditional Spanish style. They worked diligently for eight long years to bring the house back to its former glory and added an outdoor kitchen, a pool, and a garage while they were at it! The original floor tiles of the house were carefully removed one by one and reinstalled after the renovation, showcasing the meticulous work and dedication of the restorers. Casa Aam, as it was called at that time, once again became the pride of the town.
We bought the house in 2022. It was the history and majestic appearance that made us fall in love with it. We also saw its potential as a holiday accommodation and realized the economic possibilities this could bring to Callosa d’en SarrÃa.
We named the house Casa Lola Callosa after our cat Lola, who, in our imagination, follows us on our cycling adventures, secretly hiding in the back of our cycling shirts.
We hope that Casa Lola Callosa inspires you to go on adventures and unleashes your imagination!
Small town feel
Escape the hustle and bustle in the Spanish countryside
Escape the hustle and bustle of modern life by visiting the Spanish countryside. Callosa d’en Sarria is a charming little town not yet overrun by tourists while being only 20 minutes away from the beach. The village offers traditional Spanish culture through its local markets and many festivities and events. Callosa d’en Sarria also functions as a gateway to the hinterland of the Costa Blanca. It is located strategically from where various sights can be easily accessed. The waterfalls of Algar are only 5 minutes away, the picturesque villages of Guadalest and Tarbena a mere 20 minutes, and the road to Bernia mountain viewpoints less than 10 minutes. Here, you can immerse yourself in the local culture, enjoy delicious traditional food, and stroll through charming streets while being in the tourist hub of Altea in no time whenever you feel like it.
