Behind a tall wrought iron gate, a paved path leads through a beautifully arranged garden to an instantly impressive and imposing 17th-century renovated farmhouse and the main building of La Ferme Saint Siméon hotel. Although badly damaged in a fire, this superb example of typical Normandy architecture was rebuilt using the same materials of gray slate and clay bricks, while the bare timber interiors were meticulously restored. The hotel is comprised of two other buildings, one with a quaint, undulating thatched roof and the other Le Pressoir -- a fine semi-timbered structure with redbrick facade which also houses the spa. The extensive grounds combine smooth lawns, manicured hedges, and explosions of flowers all overlooking the bay below. Its picturesque location drew many impressionist painters here in the 19th century and the hotel is still very popular with artists, especially those of the performing arts -- including George Clooney and Charlize Theron -- whose signed portraits decorate the hallways.

The hotel has 34 rooms spread over three buildings, all of which are finished in a simple, refined country-house styling with exposed oak floorboards, colorful patterned fabrics, and antique-style furnishings. Spacious bathrooms are finished in marble and all include shower/tub combos, or tubs and walk-in showers, as well as Hermés toiletries and robes. Free Wi-Fi, iPod/iPhone docks, and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels and DVD players come as standard, while some rooms include a separate seating area with sofabed and balcony. Most rooms overlook the pretty gardens, while some higher rooms have views over the sea. Rooms are not air-conditioned, but the hotel does supply portable units.

Le Ferme Saint Siméon's restaurant serves a sophisticated fine dining menu of Normandy-style cooking in elegant, rustic surroundings. A breakfast buffet of cold cuts and cooked-to-order eggs is available each morning, but is pricey. The hotel bar offers a fine selection of whiskeys and a cozy fireplace, while there is also a dedicated smoking lounge filled with antiques and old leather chairs (reception offers a choice of cigars). The hotel's spa has a heated indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, and steam rooms while also offering bespoke treatments featuring apple-based products, whose smell lingers pleasantly in the massage rooms. In reference to its artistic heritage, the hotel also offers a painting studio with lessons from a local artist. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.

The Hotel La Ferme Saint Siméon is located on the heights of Honfleur, overlooking the bay and Seine Estuary on the north coast of France -- sadly, the view also includes the industrial city of Le Harve across the water. La Ferme Saint Simeon is set away from Honfleur's busy town center, but just 10 minutes on foot or three minutes by car. The sandy but rugged Butin beach is a 15-minute walk away and the pretty Jardin des Personnalités is the same distance. Honfleur is about two-and-a-half hours drive from Paris, while the historic city of Caen is under an hour away. Parking at the hotel is free.