It's January 1933 and the hotel has long since closed for the season. But when wholesaler Madsen and manufacturer Frigh discover that two of their old friends have been secretly married, Fie is persuaded to open specially for a small surprise party. So all the regular guests defy both winter and political crisis and head to North Jutland. But what does the bride and groom think of the surprise? On this historic January day, when democracy is being tested in the great political settlement in the Prime Minister's apartment in Kanslergade at the same time as Hitler comes to power in Germany, a human drama is played out in the small seaside hotel about life, death and love.