By Jessica Montevago

The Danish word hygge translates roughly to "coziness," but it’s really a way of life. Pursuing happiness, relaxation, and togetherness through small, simple everyday pleasures life has to offer. While it’s become trendy here in the states, embrace it as the Danes do in Copenhagen at the peak of hygge season: Christmas. The Danes foster this feeling of comfort with illuminating candles, snuggly blankets, and plenty of mulled wine (known as gløgg to the locals). It’s an ideal backdrop for the holidays, complemented by baubles and twinkling lights that decorate the Christmas Markets across the city. Here, visitors can find traditional Yuletide treats like gingerbread, marzipan, and aebleskiver, a fluffy Danish pancake ball that’s covered with sugar and a dollop of jam. Or, they can pick up handcrafted knitwear and woolen socks. Sixty stalls are set up at Tivoli Garden amusement park–one of the most visited Christmas markets–where families can also enjoy rides and an ice skating rink. In the heart of Copenhagen, Højbro Plads Christmas village is surrounded by historic buildings, complete with reindeer and Santa’s sleigh. Take a step back in time at the Hans Christian Andersen Christmas Market, where each stall is named after one of his fairy tales. Visitors can take a picture with the Danish storyteller before meeting Santa and Mrs. Claus.

After taking in all that Nordic Christmas has to offer, travelers can retreat to their hotel and indulge in special offerings for the festive season.

Tivoli Gardens

Here are a few highlights:

Villa Copenhagen

Originally opened in 1912, Villa Copenhagen’s historic accents provide a backdrop for contemporary Nordic designs such as high ceilings, herringbone floors, and gold accents. The 390-room luxury hotel will host decadent holiday dinners at its on-site restaurant Brasserie Kontrast. Specially crafted menus for Christmas and New Year’s Eve are a showcase of local ingredients across three courses, complete with wine-pairings. Guests can ring in the New Year with champagne at the hotel courtyard and bar, or for something more intimate, in-room champagne and oysters.

Nobis Hotel Copenhagen

A member of the Design Hotels collection, Nobis Hotel Copenhagen boasts a contemporary aesthetic after a recent redesign. The 77 rooms and three suites are outfitted with minimalist Scandi design elements, from steel four-poster beds, soft leather chairs, and custom-made desks. Guests can unwind at the ground-floor spa, with a gym, plunge pool and heat treatment rooms. A tradition at Nobis Hotel Copenhagen, the property welcomes the Danish girls' choir to perform Christmas carols on the staircase to commemorate the building's history, which once served as the home of the Royal Music Conservatory. The Christmas concert is scheduled for December 3rd at 5:00 PM. End the evening at European restaurant NOI, where the head chef has put together a Christmas menu featuring traditional Smørrebrød and glazed beef short rib.

Marriott Copenhagen

The Copenhagen Marriott Hotel is located on the scenic waterfront. With 406 rooms, it’s the city’s largest five-star property – and boasts some of the biggest hotel rooms as well. Guests can take in the harbor views from the lobby lounge and bar area or the outdoor terrace. The hotel is offering a Tivoli Gardens package for the holiday season that will include entrance tickets to the amusement park, just a short walk from the hotel, as well as breakfast.

Christmas Shopping in Copenhagen

Comwell Copenhagen Portside Dolce By Wyndham

A perfect way to close out the holiday festivities, The 484-room Comwell in Trælastholmen's Nordhavn district is pulling out all the stops for New Year’s eve. Sip on bubbles as they play the King’s New Year’s Speech, a Danish tradition since 1942. Dine on stuffed quail and oysters as part of a decadent six-course menu, accompanied with a matching wine menu, finishing off with a Danish apple dessert. Then, it’s time to put on the dancing shoes to welcome the DJ as the bar opens. The hotel will put up a New Year’s Day breakfast buffet to nurse any ailments.

Travelers in Copenhagen this holiday season can embrace the coziness and indulge in the festivities the city and its hotels have to offer, creating cherished memories that resonate long after the holidays have ended.

Book these hotels, and more, using the TSA rate code in the GDS. Non-GDS users can book these hotels using tripXpress.

Banner photo: Nyhavn Port

A Very Nordic Christmas: Embrace Hygge in Copenhagen this Holiday Season