The Peninsula Paris has issued a response after facing backlash for allegedly denying entry to retired tennis star Serena Williams and her daughters.
On August 5, Serena Williams took to X (formerly Twitter) to reveal that The Peninsula Hotel in Paris turned away her and her children—Alexis Olympia Jr., 6, and Adira River, 11 months—when they sought a table. Williams wrote, “Yikes @PeninsulaParis I’ve been denied access to rooftop to eat in a empty restaurant of nicer places but never with my kids. Always a first. #Olympic2024.”
In response, the restaurant stated, “Dear Mrs. Williams, Please accept our deepest apologies for the disappointment you experienced. Our rooftop bar was fully booked, and the only available tables were in our gourmet restaurant, L’Oiseau Blanc, which was also fully reserved.”
The Peninsula Paris added, “We have always been honored to welcome you and look forward to doing so again.”
Maxime Mannevy, an employee at L’Oiseau Blanc, shared with Variety that Williams arrived with another woman and a stroller, appearing “unrecognizable.” He explained, “When she arrived, only two tables were available, but they were reserved for hotel guests. My colleague did not recognize her and offered the same service he would to any other guest, asking her to wait in the bar.”
The Peninsula Paris further clarified to TODAY, “We deeply regret Mrs. Williams’ experience and maintain our admiration and respect for her. The rooftop bar was fully booked, and the only unoccupied tables were in our fully reserved gourmet restaurant. Mrs. Williams and her family will always be warmly welcomed at The Peninsula Paris.”