Manoir de la Poterie & Spa ★★★★

As you approach the Anglo-Norman facade you see the grounds set out all around, with daisy-dotted lawns traversed by neat gravel paths, artfully placed urns and statues, and lots of little shaded seating areas. Clearly in this estate, the gardens and countryside are not an afterthought, but an integral part of the ambience and an invitation to leisurely living. The manor owes its name to the occupation of the inhabitants of Cricqueboeuf in the 16th century, where pottery formed the main means of making a living. The surrounding area is also famous for producing apples, and each of the rooms in the hotel is named after a local variety. Ours was the Judeline.

There’s always something special about walking into a hotel room where you can see instantly that the details have been thought through with loving care. Beautiful fabrics, elegant antique furniture, preserved wainscoting, armchairs and a coffee table, as well as large desk make the rooms more than just somewhere to sleep. The bathroom is spacious, with a separate toilet, and has cosy bathrobes and slippers to make you even more at home. Through the window is a view of the English channel – or rather la Manche - your destination for the next day.

The Louis XVI is set in a large hall decorated with impressionist paintings, it has a terrace outside where you can dine al fresco with the lovely gardens and sound of birdsong all around. The service is friendly and efficient, the food? Divine! You can sample the specialties of the house, truffles and langoustine, which are delicious. Breakfast can be delivered to your room, it is fresh and scrumptious, with a surprisingly wide choice on the menu considering this is not a large hotel. One of the best treats back in the hotel is the spa. You descend a deep blue stairwell to find yourself in an ochre-coloured, softly-lit room with little dots of light twinkling like distant stars in the ceiling.