The five-star Paris hotel that denied Serena Williams access to its rooftop bar admitted that the staff member in question didn’t recognize the 23-time Grand Slam winner.
“When she came, there were only two tables available and they had been reserved by clients of the hotel,” Peninsula employee Maxine Mannevy, who was not working when Williams visited the rooftop restaurant, told Variety.
“My colleague didn’t recognize her and feels terrible, but he told her what he would have told any other client, which is to wait downstairs in the bar for a table to become available. That was absolutely nothing personal.”
Mannevy added that Williams, 42, arrived with another woman and a stroller.
Reps for the famed athlete didn’t immediately return Page Six’s request for comment.
The former Olympian called out the Peninsula on her X (formerly Twitter) account Monday evening for denying her and her daughters, Olympia and Adira, entry to its scenic eatery.
“Yikes @peninsulaparis,” she wrote. “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. You’re Really Gonna Reject Me?!?!”
The retired tennis player also included a photo of the Peninsula’s sign with the message.
Williams’ post prompted some followers to accuse the luxury hotel of racism while others believed Williams was acting like an entitled “celebrity.”
In its response on X, the hotel explained that the restaurant was fully booked despite appearances.
“Dear Mrs. Williams, Please accept our deepest apologies for the disappointment you encountered tonight,” the hotel’s account posted.
“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.”
Williams has been in the City of Light for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, along with her husband, Alexis Ohanian, and their kids.
The former athlete participated in the opening ceremony’s star-studded torch relay.
