The first memorable traveller to visit La Fonda de los Príncipes was Hans Christian Andersen, the Danish writer who stayed in 1862, just one year after the building opened.
In his book «A Visit 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.
Andersen sought the soul of Madrid, was thrilled to watch the life of the square from the balconies, and was fascinated by the contrast between the bustle of the street and the peace of the interior.