A luxury hotel in Paris found itself at the center of controversy after tennis star Serena Williams publicly criticized it for refusing service to her and her children during the Olympics. On Monday, Williams shared a photo of the Peninsula Hotel on social media, describing her frustrating experience.
“Yikes @peninsulaparis I’ve been denied access to rooftop to eat in an empty restaurant of nicer places but never with my kids,” Williams wrote. “Always a first. #Olympic2024.”
The Peninsula Hotel quickly responded to her post with an apology and an explanation, clarifying that their rooftop bar was fully booked. “Dear Mrs. Williams, Please accept our deepest apologies for the disappointment you encountered tonight,” the hotel replied. “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.”
In a follow-up post, the hotel added, “We have always been honored to welcome you and will always be to welcome you again.”
Williams’ post sparked a flurry of divided comments. Some criticized the hotel for not accommodating the tennis star, while others argued that Williams should apologize for her sense of entitlement.
The incident underscores the challenges luxury establishments face in balancing high-profile guests’ expectations with existing reservations and policies. While the hotel maintained that the rooftop bar was genuinely booked, the public nature of Williams’ complaint highlights the potential for misunderstandings and the intense scrutiny that can follow.
As the conversation continued online, it became clear that opinions were split. Some supporters of Williams felt that the hotel should have made an exception given her status and the apparent emptiness of the restaurant. Others, however, insisted that the rules should apply equally to all guests, regardless of their fame.
The Peninsula Hotel’s response aimed to smooth over the situation by reiterating their respect and willingness to welcome Williams back in the future. This incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance luxury hotels must maintain in providing exclusive services while managing high-profile guests’ expectations and ensuring fair treatment for all patrons.