Every evening at 8 pm, the Last Post sounds beneath the Menin Gate in Ypres. That makes the town a destination for visitors from Belgium and abroad all year round. Around Armistice Day, an extra wave arrives on top of that. On 11 November, many people travel to Ypres, including a large number of visitors from the United Kingdom.
In 2025, 11 November falls on a Tuesday. If you have a holiday home in Ypres or elsewhere in the Westhoek, now is the time to get everything ready. In this article, you will read how to tailor your pricing, minimum stay and welcome to these very particular guests.
Why 11 November is different
Most peaks in rentals are linked to the school holidays. Around 11 November, things are different. Many guests do not come for a relaxing family holiday, but to remember. They travel with family, friends or in a group. Some come back every year. Others make the journey once, often with a personal connection to the history of the region.
That affects how you welcome them. These guests plan their visit around a fixed moment. They want to know how far the Menin Gate is, where they can park and what time they should set off. A property that explains all of this clearly stands out.
The long weekend around Tuesday
Because 11 November 2025 falls on a Tuesday, many people will take the Monday off as well. That creates a long weekend from Saturday 8 to Tuesday 11 November. For visitors from the United Kingdom, this is a logical travel window: arrive at the weekend, attend the commemoration and then travel home.
Set a separate minimum stay for that period. Three nights, with arrival on Saturday, is a good basis. That way you avoid someone booking only the Monday night while the rest of the weekend stays empty. Also allow a stay from Sunday to Wednesday. Some guests arrive later and stay one more night after the commemoration.
Keep an eye on what is left after 11 November. Single nights in the rest of the week are hard to sell with a strict rule. Lower the minimum stay there as soon as the weekend is booked.
Pricing with enough lead time
Guests who come for the commemoration often book well in advance. If you only look at your prices at the start of November, you have already missed part of the demand. Or worse: you have sold your best nights at an ordinary November price.
So look at your calendar now. If the nights around 11 November are still open, check that your price is higher than on an ordinary November weekend. Compare with similar properties nearby. If those are already largely full, the demand is there and your price can rise with it.
Do not lower your price too early if things stay quiet for a while. Around a fixed moment such as 11 November, bookings often keep coming in until shortly beforehand. Adjust in small steps and check the pace every week.
A welcome in English
Because many guests come from the United Kingdom, it pays to offer your entire guest experience in English. Start with your listing. A good English title and description make your property easy to find for people searching in English.
Do the same inside the property. A house manual in English, clear instructions for the heating and a welcome message in their language make the difference. Think about small practical things too:
- a kettle in the kitchen, because guests expect one;
- a few plug adapters for British devices;
- a short explanation about driving on the right and parking in town;
- the walking distance to the Menin Gate and the best route.
Answer messages quickly and in English. Guests who travel a long way often have questions about arrival times and keys. A clear answer builds trust.
Welcoming groups
Around 11 November, a striking number of people travel in groups. Think of several generations of one family, or a group of friends attending the commemoration together. A property with several bedrooms is then in high demand.
Be clear about the maximum number of guests. State the number of beds and how they are spread across the rooms. Set out which house rules apply, such as quiet after a certain hour and the use of shared spaces. Larger groups appreciate a big table to eat together and enough towels, so nobody has to share.
Practical information in the house
Visitors around 11 November want to plan their day well. A short, practical guide in the property saves them a lot of searching. Include:
- where they can park, and whether it is paid;
- how long the walk is to the centre and the Menin Gate;
- that the Last Post takes place every evening at 8 pm, and that it gets busy around 11 November, so leaving in good time pays off;
- a baker, a supermarket and a pharmacy nearby;
- a few restaurants they can go to after the ceremony;
- what to do if there is a problem, with a phone number that is reachable.
Have the guide ready both on paper and digitally. Send the digital version a few days before arrival, so guests can plan their visit in advance.
A destination beyond November too
Because the Last Post takes place every evening, Ypres attracts visitors all year round. What you prepare now for 11 November stays useful afterwards. An English listing, a good house guide and clear arrangements about parking also help in the quieter months.
Look back once the busy period is over. Which questions came up often? What was missing in the property? Adjust your guide and furnishings accordingly for the next commemoration.
Help with rentals in the Westhoek
At YourDomi, we adjust prices daily based on market data and communicate with guests seven days a week in their own language, including English. Would you like to know what that could mean for your property in the Westhoek? Request a personal proposal.
