Serena Williams appeared ‘unrecognizable’ to Paris hotel staffer who denied her access: It was ‘nothing personal’
By Francesca Bacardi
Published Aug. 7, 2024, 7:49 a.m. ET
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.”
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serena williams posing in front of eiffel tower
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A staffer at the five-star hotel that denied Serena Williams entry said she was “unrecognizable.” REUTERS
exterior of the Peninsula Paris
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Maxine Mannevy, who was not working at the hotel, pictured here, at the time of the incident, told Variety that it was “absolutely nothing personal.” Fabrice RAMBERT
serena williams playing tennis
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The famed tennis champion called out the hotel on X Monday evening. Getty Images
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Mannevy added that Williams, 42, arrived with one other 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.
screenshot of Serena Williams’ tweet about The Peninsula
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The hotel responded by explaining the rooftop was fully booked.
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serena williams walking with her daughter
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Mannevy further shared that Williams arrived with another woman and a stroller. Getty Images
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“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.
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Williams’ post prompted some followers to accuse the luxury hotel of racism while others believed Williams was acting like an entitled “celebrity.”
serena williams
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“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,” Mannevy explained. Getty Images for LVMH x Vogue x NBC
serena williams and her daughter watching the olympics
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Williams has been in Paris for the Olympic games after participating in the opening ceremony’s star-studded torch relay. Getty Images
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.
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8/7/24
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