Serena Williams recently expressed frustration on social media after being turned away from a Paris hotel’s restaurant during her stay for the Olympics. The tennis legend, who was with her children, shared a photo of the Peninsula Hotel, criticizing the establishment for denying her access to its rooftop dining area, despite it appearing empty.
In her post, Williams wrote, “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. #Olympic2024.”
The hotel responded quickly, apologizing for the inconvenience and explaining that the rooftop area was fully booked, with the only available tables belonging to their gourmet restaurant, L’Oiseau Blanc, which had been fully reserved. They expressed regret for the misunderstanding and reiterated their willingness to welcome Williams in the future.
The incident sparked mixed reactions online, with some criticizing the hotel for not accommodating Williams, while others suggested that she was acting entitled. One commenter pointed out that, according to the hotel’s website, the rooftop restaurant does not even take reservations.
During her time in Paris, Williams was also active in the Olympic events, serving as a torchbearer at the opening ceremony and cheering on fellow athletes, including Simone Biles, who led the U.S. women’s gymnastics team to gold.
