Before your arrival, we have had many other memorable travelers.
The first memorable traveler to visit La Fonda de los Príncipes was Hans Christian Andersen, the Danish writer who stayed here in 1862, just one year after the building opened.
In his book "Journey to Spain," he acknowledges being as impressed by how luxurious and modern La Fonda was, as by the infernal noise of Puerta del Sol, which he described as an anthill beneath his feet. Water carriers, stagecoaches, vendors, and gatherings were part of daily life.
Christian Andersen was seeking the soul of Madrid. He was thrilled to see the life of the square from the balconies, and he was fascinated by the contrast between the bustle of the street and the peace of the interior.
Four years later, in 1866, Henry Blackburn, art critic for the London Society, stayed here to write his book "Travelling in Spain at Present." From these very same balconies, he observed sunrises and sunsets over Puerta del Sol, something he would portray in his book.
We find it curious how his travel guide remains very relevant. You can discover it for yourselves by requesting a copy of the book at reception.
Finally, the most internationally known guest is the Argentine writer and poet Jorge Luis Borges, who, between 1919 and 1921, while staying at what was then called Pensión Americana, wrote his first Ultraist poems.
You can see a commemorative plaque on the exterior of the building.
By the way, Borges's room was number 416, on the fourth floor, corner room with 3 balconies facing Tetuán and Carmen streets.