And that's when I realized how much our definition of luxury has changed since we had our daughter. Duck confit by candlelight is great, certainly, but the ketchup (without needing to ask!), the DVD (for which we weren't paying an $11.95 room-service charge!), and someone else playing the role of Mom by anticipating everyone's needs—those are the kinds of amenities that, as parents, we fell in love with.
Justin's and Jenny's professional backgrounds in the world of big-name hotels, along with their status as parents (of Toby, 8; Jamie, 3; and Fleur, 1), make them incredibly thoughtful proprietors. The couple met in Hong Kong while working for Mandarin Oriental and later co-managed England's country-glam Babington House (she ran the spa; he ran the hotel). In 2004, they took over Ballyvolane, Justin's childhood home, which his parents had been running as an inn. Today, Ballyvolane combines the service of a well-run hotel and the ease of staying with fellow parents who just get it.
During our stay, Jenny and Justin directed us to all the sights they visit with their own kids, sending us off with a picnic lunch or the address of their favorite pub. Ballyvolane is within close driving distance of several castles, medieval towns, and the beach (the area is also a destination for foodies, thanks to its seafood and small farms). On many days, though, we just stayed put. We borrowed wellies and raincoats to explore the grounds, hoping to spot a fox. In the afternoons, my husband fished and I read on the couch while Clara sprinted across the endless lawn with the Green kids and their dogs.
Every evening, we ended up abandoning plans to go out in favor of a night in. On our last day at Ballyvolane, we fed Clara and put her to bed early so we could eat dinner with the other adult guests. We kept a baby monitor at the table, and not a peep came out of it. But just having it there—and getting an understanding look from Jenny when I asked for it—may have been the most luxurious perk of all.
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