A luxury Parisian hotel has issued an apology to tennis star Serena Williams after she and her family were turned away from its rooftop restaurant. Williams shared her disappointment on social media, noting that she had never been denied access with her children before.
“Yikes @peninsulaparis I’ve been denied access to rooftop to eat in an empty restaurant of nicer places but never with my kids. Always a first,” Serena Williams said on X.
The Peninsula Paris, known for its view of the Eiffel Tower from its gourmet restaurant, L’Oiseau Blanc, responded quickly to her post, which was viewed by over four million people. They clarified that the rooftop bar was fully booked and the tables she saw were reserved. The hotel apologized for the disappointment and emphasized their honor in welcoming her.
“Dear Mrs. Williams, Please accept our deepest apologies for the disappointment you encountered tonight. Unfortunately, our rooftop bar was indeed fully booked and the only unoccupied tables you saw belonged to our gourmet restaurant, L’Oiseau Blanc, which was fully reserved.”
A second message followed, saying: “We have always been honoured to welcome you and will always be to welcome you again.”
The incident sparked varied reactions online. Some fans expressed support for Williams, criticizing the restaurant for not accommodating her. Others argued that celebrities should not receive preferential treatment over fully booked reservations.
Williams, a four-time Olympic gold medalist and torchbearer for the Paris Games’ opening ceremony, had earlier shared her excitement about the Olympics. She described the ceremony as “unforgettable,” despite the rain, in a much more positive post on X.
“Have you ever had an unforgettable moment? That was yesterday for me. Truly unforgettable. From being part of an amazing Open Ceremony at the Paris Olympics – to riding in the boat in the rain – and it was pouring! So much so my lashes came right on off. Unforgettable!”
The situation highlights the challenges and expectations faced by celebrities in public settings, particularly when it comes to hospitality and reservations. As Williams continues to enjoy the Olympics and support athletes like Simone Biles, her experience serves as a reminder of the human side of even the most celebrated figures.
