Hosts
We are Ton and Duran te Riele, a Rotterdam based Dutch couple. We met in 2011 and got married in 2013. We love animals and are proud dads of the most handsome and funniest pup Finn.
Ton used to work in the financial sector before starting his own real estate company in 2014, which turned out to be very successful. Duran has been working in the art and advertising business before he switched careers in 2001 to become a primary school teacher.
Gran Canaria has been our second home for a couple of years already. The Netherlands is a really wonderful country, but for ‘sunshine people’ like us, its winters are dark and cold. “Carpe Diem” was (and is) our motto and we decided to sell our company in 2020. Enjoying life to the fullest, we decided to spend the autumn/winter months in Maspalomas/Gran Canaria, at first in a rental bungalow.
Casa Roffa
But we wanted a place of our own, a house we could redesign, renovate and reconstruct, to turn it into our dream home, where we could eventually start a holiday rental business. In 2022, a two-year search for the perfect house came to an end.
With the help and expertise of Pride Properties Real Estate we finally found (and bought) a gorgeous but old house in Maspalomas/San Fernando. It needed a lot of work before it would finally become the home we dreamed of.
We worked on the designs and technical construction drawings for weeks. Estimated at four months of intense construction work, it eventually took almost two years of demolishing, rebuilding, changing plans, starting over again, adapting and perfecting into detail, until every square inch was how we imagined and intended it. We redesigned and modernized the whole place, while carefully keeping the characteristic Spanish elements of the house intact, like the central open courtyard, where Ton created a green heaven with breath-taking Monsteras, Strelitzia Reginae, red Bougainville and a beautiful Mascarena palm, to name a few.
With the help of Constructor Villa, a very professional and reliable construction company and many skilled and hard workers we managed to turn an old patio-townhouse into our dream house Casa Roffa, a 365m2 luxurious holiday residence where we feel completely at home. And if you’ve read our reviews, you’ll see our guests feel the same way when they’re staying in Casa Roffa.
The house has three double bed guest rooms (each with a private bathroom) and a large shared living room with a fully equipped kitchen. A beautiful open air and spacious green courtyard/patio gives you access to the private rooftop terrace. There you’ll find a large sundeck with six sun loungers, the rooftop pool, a refreshing outside shower, as well as a semi-roofed dining area (seating 10-persons), a pantry kitchen and a relaxing lounge area.
You can see more pictures of the reconstruction and renovation of Casa Roffa in our picture gallery.
What does Casa Roffa mean?
“Roffa” is a Dutch nickname for Rotterdam, a bit like New York is referred to as “The Big Apple”. So it would translate to Rotterdam House. It reflects on how we love to mix Dutch/Rotterdam styles, design, habits and culture with the typical Spanish and Canarian ones, exactly like we did when we created Casa Roffa.
Furniture and designs
When designing Casa Roffa we had a very specific idea of what the furniture, light/lamps, decorations and artworks should be like. We found that living on an island has many advantages, but also its limitations. Not everything we wanted was available on the island, and ‘shipping to Gran Canaria’ was simply no option for many shops in Europe and US.
It’s easy to fill your house with only second hand junk, or just go to the Scandinavian megastores. But we wanted Casa Roffa to have a unique feel and atmosphere. We’d rather wait for months for the perfect sun loungers or that one very special lamp or piece of furniture than to compromise and buy something we’d never be really happy with.
We tried to mix modern design with Canarian vintage. We bought hidden treasures from garage-sales and second hand shops all over the island, and with some restoring work they blended in perfectly. We designed and created some furniture pieces ourselves when it became clear that we’d never be able to find them on the island. The advantage of making some of your own furniture is that it is going to be exactly like you designed it, no compromise. And it makes it even more personal, even more ‘our home’.
Artworks
The artworks that are hanging on Casa Roffa walls come from different artists. The large painting in the living room is created by Dutch artist Renée Hogeland. We’re both huge fans of her work and we’re lucky to have two of her works in our house in Rotterdam as well. This one was specially transported from our home in Rotterdam to Maspalomas. Quite a job, but totally worth it. It belongs here.
The paintings in the three bedrooms are made especially for us by Russian artist Elena Vereshchagina (living in Maspalomas).
Both artists are very talented and we’re proud to have some of their work hanging on our walls.
Duran did the large mural painting of the Monstera leaf in the corner of the patio and also the “Apple in 3D” (above the patio table).
Location
Casa Roffa is located in the quiet and peaceful residential area “Las Farolas”, just outside the busy tourist ring of Playa del Inglés.
There’s free parking in the streets around the house, and supermarket/restaurants/shops are right at the end of the street.
A walk to Yumbo Centre will take you 20 minutes, while a taxi takes you there for less than 5 euros.
Facilities
Fresh and clean bed linen, blankets, soft and luxury bathing towels and complementary shower gel/shampoo are self-evident. We like to make sure your stay is as comfortable as possible.
Ton & Duran are helpful, responsive, and incredibly kind. Casa Roffa is beautiful, comfortable, and spotless. We’ve stayed here two years in a row now, and will definitely be returning.”
This house will exceed all your expectations. Perfect atmosphere, great facilities and above all the best hosts! We’re still overwhelmed!”
We had a fantastic stay here for a friend’s birthday. The house was amazing and extremely spacious. It has everything you need for a delightful stay. Would definitely stay again.”
Casa Roffa is a great place, with its relaxing terraces and courtyard perfect for home dinners, good location and well equipped kitchen. Friendly and professional hosts.”
We had a wonderful stay at Casa Roffa. The house was spotless on arrival and had everything you could possibly need for your stay. We will definitely be back.”
Perfect accommodation for our 10 day stay. Terrace and pool were an added bonus. I would recommend this property to anyone. We’ll definitely be returning.”
We felt like we were at home. The hosts are kind, courteous and very helpful ! The house is so beautiful, we can’t wait to come back!”
It’s wonderful to catch the last sun by the rooftop pool after a day at the beach. In the evening the lounge area is very pleasant. It’s definitely a place to come back to.”
A rooftop terrace breakfast, swimming, private sunbathing, dining and sleeping like a baby in very comfortable beds. Casa Roffa is an oasis of luxury and a true paradise.”
Casa Roffa is a 5 star accommodation with 3 beautiful guest rooms, very clean and comfortable beds and bathrooms. Already booked again for the fall.”
The hosts really do everything they can to make your stay as pleasant as possible. And that certainly worked! Thanks guys!”
Casa Roffa felt like coming home for us. Five stars!”
Casa Roffa is a gem in a residential neighbourhood with restaurants, bars, shops and a big supermarket around the corner. Surprisingly close to Yumbo center.”
These men understand what hospitality is; a warm welcome, the house is very clean, very luxurious and there is a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere throughout the house.”
Spotless designer house, quiet location, beautiful decor and with amazing features and facilities. Five stars, would happily go back!”
These guys have an eye for detail. All rooms are airconditioned and have very comfortable beds. The rooftop pool is big enough for a nice cool down with friends.”
Five stars! Super cool house in a strategic position. I recommend it! The hosts also are really helpful.”
The house is beautifully done up. With all the facilities that you would need to have an enjoyable holiday. Everything had a new feel to it.”
Everything was great. The house is very well equipped and the location is perfect.
We really enjoyed it.”
The roof terrace is spot on; with a large lounge area, sun terrace and swimming pool, you don’t even have to leave the house.”
You just feel that they’ve put a lot of love and effort in this place to turn it into a paradise in Maspalomas. Five stars, highly recommended!”
Ton and Duran are fantastic hosts! We were pampered from start to finish, nothing was too much to ask. We will definitely come back!”
The spacious house was redesigned and luxuriously renovated in 2022, with a very high level of finishing. Absolutely top notch!”