Serena Williams Claims She and Her Children Were Denied Entry to Empty Rooftop Restaurant at The Peninsula Hotel in Paris Amidst Staff Claims of Misrecognition

Serena Williams recently found herself in a bit of a fiasco while visiting a rooftop restaurant at The Peninsula Hotel in Paris. The tennis champion, along with her children, was turned away from the restaurant, which she described as “empty” on social media. Despite her claims, the hotel denied that the place was vacant.

According to the hotel staff, Williams appeared “unrecognizable,” which might have contributed to the confusion.

On Monday, Williams took to X to voice her frustration, posting a photo of the hotel with a caption that read, “Yikes. @peninsulaparis I’ve been denied access to the rooftop to eat in an empty restaurant of nicer places but never with my kids.

Always a first.” The hotel responded by clarifying that the only vacant tables were in their fully-booked gourmet restaurant, L’Oiseau Blanc.

Staff’s Perspective

Maxime Mannevy, a staff member at the rooftop restaurant, mentioned that Williams looked unfamiliar to his colleague.

According to Mannevy, there were only two tables available, both reserved for hotel clients.

The staff member directed Williams to wait in the bar area until a table became free, a standard procedure that was not intended to be personal.

The Peninsula Paris responded to the incident on X, expressing their regret over Williams’ experience. They explained that their rooftop bar was fully booked and that the tables Williams saw were part of the reserved L’Oiseau Blanc restaurant.

The hotel extended their apologies, emphasizing their ongoing honor in hosting Williams and expressing a desire to welcome her back in the future.

Williams’ fans were quick to criticize the hotel, with one user asking, “How does one get denied when they are Serena Williams… lol.” Another fan commented that it was fortunate she didn’t spend money there, suggesting the food quality was subpar. A few others insisted that a table should have been made available for Williams, given her status.

Mixed Opinions

However, not everyone was sympathetic to Williams. Some social media users argued that expecting special treatment because of her celebrity status was entitled.

One person pointed out that if the restaurant was booked, it was reasonable to expect that no special accommodation would be made, regardless of who the guest was. Another user criticized the notion that a fully-booked venue should accommodate a celebrity on demand.

Williams’ Olympic Presence

Aside from this restaurant incident, Williams has been enjoying her time in Paris with her six-year-old daughter, Olympia. She was also a notable figure at the Olympic Games opening ceremony on July 26, where she joined other sports legends like Rafael Nadal, Carl Lewis, and Nadia Comaneci. Since retiring from tennis in 2022, Williams, who boasts four Olympic gold medals, has remained a prominent figure in the sports world.

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