How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Manor for 40 People in Belgium?

Let's be honest—when you're planning accommodation for 40 people, the first question everyone asks is "how much is this going to cost?" And when you start looking at manor rentals in Belgium, the pricing can feel murky at best. One property quotes per person, another per room, and a third wants a flat rate for the whole place. Then there are the hidden costs that nobody mentions until you're deep into planning.

I've seen it happen dozens of times. Groups start with one budget, discover hidden fees halfway through planning, and end up scrambling to either cut corners or find more money. So let's break down what you're actually paying for when you rent a manor for 40 people in Belgium, and more importantly, what you're getting for that price.

What Manor Rental Pricing Actually Looks Like

First things first—there's no standard pricing model for manor rentals in Belgium. Some places charge per person per night. Others want a flat rate for the property. And then there's the question of minimum stays, weekend premiums, and what's actually included.

For manor rentals in the Belgian Ardennes, you're typically looking at around €4,500-€6,000 per weekend for the entire property. That's 18 rooms, accommodation for up to 40 guests, and exclusive use. But let's be specific about what that means, because "around" isn't helpful when you're budgeting.

The range depends on several factors. Peak season (summer, holidays) commands higher rates. Properties with more amenities or historic significance often charge premium prices. And location matters—being in the Ardennes near Vielsalm is accessible, which keeps costs reasonable compared to more remote locations.

Breaking Down the Real Costs

The Base Price: What You're Paying For

When you pay €5,000 for a weekend manor rental, you're getting the entire property. That means 18 rooms, each with private bathrooms, all to yourselves. No sharing facilities with strangers. No worrying about noise or disturbing other guests. Your group of 40 people in a historic property exclusively yours.

The property price typically includes:

• All 18 bedrooms (accommodating up to 40 guests)
• Private bathrooms for every room (18 total)
• Full access to indoor and outdoor pools
• Sauna facilities
• Expansive grounds for activities
• Common areas (dining room, living areas, kitchen)
• Parking for multiple vehicles
• Linens and basic amenities
• Utilities (heating, electricity, water)
• Internet access

What you're not typically paying extra for (but might with some properties): separate room charges, bathroom access fees, pool usage fees, or per-person utility charges. It's a flat rate for the property, which makes budgeting straightforward.

The Hidden Costs (That Aren't Actually Hidden)

Now, let's talk about what's not included, because that's where surprises happen. Most manor rentals don't include catering in the base price. For 40 people over a weekend, you're looking at roughly €150-€250 per person for full catering (breakfast, lunch, dinner). That's an additional €6,000-€10,000 on top of the property rental.

Some groups handle their own cooking—many manors have professional-grade kitchens that make this possible. But if you're organizing a corporate retreat or family reunion where nobody wants to spend their weekend cooking, catering becomes necessary.

Other costs that often come up:

• End-of-stay cleaning: €300-€500 (usually optional, some groups prefer to do it themselves)
• Activities and excursions: Variable—hiking is free, guided tours or equipment rental costs extra
• Security deposit: €500-€1,500 (refundable, typically returned within a week)
• Additional services: Massage therapists, event planners, photographers—all optional, all extra

Weekend vs. Weekday Pricing

Here's where you can save money. Most manor rentals charge premium rates for weekends (Friday-Sunday stays). If you can swing a weekday booking (Monday-Thursday), you're often looking at 20-30% lower rates. That €5,000 weekend rental might drop to €3,500-€4,000 for a midweek stay.

For corporate retreats, this can be perfect timing—Monday through Wednesday keeps the weekend free, and you're paying less for the property. The trade-off is that some team members might need to take time off work, but many companies find the savings worth it.

How This Compares to Other Options

Manor Rental vs. Multiple Hotel Rooms

Let's say you're booking 20 hotel rooms for 40 people in a decent hotel near the Ardennes. At €150-€200 per room per night, you're looking at €6,000-€8,000 for Friday and Saturday nights. Plus you're paying extra for breakfast (€15-€25 per person), and you don't have exclusive use of any facilities. Meeting spaces cost extra. You're essentially paying hotel rates while getting none of the group benefits.

A manor rental at €5,000 gives you the entire property, private bathrooms everywhere, exclusive use of pools and grounds, and the freedom to organize meals however you want. The math usually favors the manor, especially when you factor in the group experience benefits.

Manor Rental vs. Airbnb/VRBO

Airbnb and VRBO can look cheaper at first glance. You might find properties advertised at €200-€300 per night. But here's the catch—finding a property that actually accommodates 40 people comfortably is nearly impossible. Most large Airbnb listings top out at 20-25 guests, and they often have shared bathrooms (nightmare for 40 people) or require booking multiple properties.

Even if you find one property claiming to fit 40, you're probably looking at crammed conditions, sofa beds, and bathrooms shared among 8-10 people. The "cheap" option becomes expensive when you're dealing with discomfort, scheduling conflicts, and the organizational nightmare of coordinating 40 people across multiple spaces.

Manor Rental vs. Conference Centers

Conference centers are built for corporate groups, so they're designed with meetings in mind. But accommodation is usually hotel-style (individual rooms, shared facilities), and the atmosphere is often clinical. You're paying €150-€300 per person per night for a business-travel experience.

For the same 40 people over a weekend, you're looking at €12,000-€24,000 total. A manor rental gives you historic character, exclusive use, private bathrooms everywhere, and often better amenities (pools, sauna, expansive grounds) for roughly half the price.

Seasonal Pricing Variations

Like any accommodation, manor rentals have peak seasons. Summer (June-August) and major holidays (Christmas, New Year, Easter) typically command 20-30% premium rates. The same property that costs €5,000 in May might cost €6,000-€6,500 in July.

Shoulder seasons (April-May, September-October) offer the best balance of weather and pricing. You're getting good conditions without paying peak rates. And if you don't mind cooler weather, November through March can be significantly cheaper while still offering the full manor experience.

What Makes Manor Rental Worth the Price

I've organized group stays in hotels, conference centers, and manors. The difference in experience quality is real. With a manor rental, you're not just buying beds and bathrooms. You're buying:

• Privacy: The entire property is yours. No strangers in hallways, no noise complaints, no shared facilities.
• Flexibility: Meals happen on your schedule. Activities happen when you want. There's no conference center timetable dictating your day.
• Character: Historic manors have stories. Distinctive architecture, sense of history, and an atmosphere you can't replicate in modern hotels.
• Space: 18 rooms with private bathrooms mean nobody's queuing for showers. Common areas large enough for 40 people mean actual group gatherings are possible.
• Experience: This isn't business travel. It's a memorable gathering that people will actually enjoy and remember.

Budgeting Realistically

So what should you actually budget for a manor rental weekend for 40 people? Here's a realistic breakdown:

• Property rental: €5,000 (base rate, could be €4,000-€6,500 depending on season and property)
• Catering (optional): €6,000-€10,000 if you want full catering, or €0 if you're cooking yourselves
• Cleaning (optional): €300-€500 if you want end-of-stay cleaning included
• Security deposit: €500-€1,500 (you get this back, but it's cash outlay upfront)
• Activities: €500-€2,000 depending on what you want to do (hiking is free, guided tours cost extra)

Total realistic budget: €6,300-€19,500 depending on how much you want to include. But the base property rental starts around €5,000, and from there you're choosing what extras make sense for your group.

The Bottom Line

Renting a manor for 40 people in Belgium costs roughly €4,500-€6,500 per weekend for the property itself, with optional extras (catering, activities) adding to that. It's more expensive than cramming people into hotel rooms, but it's often cheaper than conference centers or booking multiple Airbnb properties.

The value comes from having the entire property to yourselves, private bathrooms everywhere, historic character, and the freedom to create exactly the gathering experience you want. For corporate retreats, family reunions, or special celebrations, that's usually worth the price difference.

If you're comparing options, don't just look at the bottom line number. Factor in what's included (exclusive use, private bathrooms, amenities), what's not included (catering, activities), and what you're actually getting for that price. A manor rental at €5,000 that includes everything your group needs often beats a "cheaper" option that requires extra rooms, shared facilities, and compromises nobody wants to make.

If you're comparing accommodation options for 40 people in Belgium, check availability for exclusive-use properties that combine proper capacity, private bathrooms, and adequate common spaces. For comparisons between accommodation types, see our guide to manor vs hotel vs Airbnb for large groups.