Holiday homes for large groups in Belgium

Belgium has a wide range of large holiday homes for groups of ten to thirty people. Whether it is a family celebration, a weekend with friends or a company outing: there is almost always a suitable property. The Ardennes are the most popular destination, with converted castles, farmhouse gîtes and large villas with extensive outdoor space. The Campine and the Flemish Ardennes offer alternatives for those who prefer to stay in Flanders.

Renting one large house together has its advantages. You are together as a group, without being tied to hotel schedules or restaurant reservations. Those who want to cook, cook. Those who want to be outside, go outside. Everyone goes to bed when it suits them.

For a group stay, the ratio between sleeping places, bathrooms and communal space matters more than the total number of square metres. A rule of thumb: count on at least one bathroom per four to six people. For two families travelling together, separate sleeping wings or distinct floors are a real plus, so that everyone has their own peace in the evening.

Also look at the dining table and the kitchen. Cooking for twelve people at once calls for a spacious kitchen with a large oven, enough cutlery and a table where everyone fits. A property that accommodates ten people on paper but has only one bathroom and a small kitchen soon feels cramped. Read the floor plan if it is available and count the bathrooms.

The Ardennes are by far the most popular destination for large groups. You will find converted castles, spacious farmhouse gîtes and large chalets with extensive outdoor space, often with a private pool or a large garden. Durbuy, La Roche-en-Ardenne and the Semois valley are favourite bases for an active weekend of walking, cycling or kayaking.

Those who prefer to stay in Flanders find renovated farmhouses full of character in the Flemish Ardennes and spacious bungalows and holiday farms amid nature in the Campine. These regions are closer to the major cities, which is handy when not everyone comes from far. At the coast, large properties for a whole group are scarcer, but they exist for those who want a beach day with the whole company.

A group stay is more than sleeping together under one roof. In the Ardennes there are numerous providers of kayak trips on the Lesse or the Ourthe, mountain bike routes, climbing courses and team building. For a family weekend, caves, animal parks and walking trails for all ages are within reach.

Those who want it quieter choose a property with enough comfort to simply be together: a large living room, a billiard table or table football, an outdoor terrace with barbecue and a garden where the children can run around. Sometimes the best thing about a group holiday is precisely that you have to do nothing and can simply cook, play cards and chat together.

The price of group accommodation depends on the size, the region and the season. A property for ten to twelve people costs on average 200 to 500 euros per night in the Ardennes. Per person that often comes to 20 to 40 euros, comparable to a budget hotel but with all the space and cooking facilities included.

For the largest properties, with room for twenty people or more, rates rise to 700 euros per night or more in high season. Count on additional costs with every group booking, such as a deposit, final cleaning and tourist tax. By sharing the price with the whole group, a spacious property often remains surprisingly affordable per person.