Serena Williams was denied entrance to an opulent hotel. THESerena Williams. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion and four-time Olympic gold medallist Serena Williams. The all-time best tennis player publicly criticized the location, sparking a wave of criticism on the internet.
Taking to her X page (formerly known as Twitter) on Monday (August 5), Serena 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.”
The Peninsula Paris is a high-end hotel next to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France. The venue “sets spectacular new standards in design, luxury, and comfort,” according to its description.
People were eager to express their disbelief after the video quickly received millions of views. One user, X, said, “How does one get denied when they are Serena Williams… lol.”
A luxurious hotel denied access to Serena Williams
Image credits: serenawilliams
Someone commented, “Happy you didn’t have to waste money there.”
Another person added, “How embarrassing for them.” I apologize for what occurred to you. It must be painful.
The Peninsula responded to criticism of the tennis player using her celebrity position for preferential treatment on social media by writing, “Dear Mrs. Williams,We sincerely apologize for the disappointment you had this evening.
Image credits: thepeninsulaparis
“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.”
The venue added: “We have always been honored to welcome you and will always be to welcome you again.”
Nevertheless, many observers remained critical, as a person suggested: “Let me give you guys a social media tip, find a solution.
The greatest tennis player of all time publicly called out the venue, prompting an avalanche of online criticism
Image credits: serenawilliams
You make accommodations for well-known celebrities since positive publicity might advance your brand.
Try to make it work if an A-list celebrity wants to participate; otherwise, things like this will happen, and the negative publicity won’t be worth it.
Verify your Yelp or other meal review sites; if you don’t, you’ll lose a lot of points and face consequences at the end of the day.
Image credits: serenawilliams
“We will find a way to accommodate. Please return in x time so we can make accommodations, we are currently completely full,” was the acceptable response from customer care.
There are more than 3,000 Google reviews for The Peninsula, many of which were removed when Serena attacked the company.
As of Tuesday, August 6, the most recent review says, “I truly value this place’s reservation system.
“I’ve been denied access to rooftop to eat in a empty restaurant of nicer places but never with my kids,” Serena wrote
Image credits: serenawilliams
“I booked a reservation a month ago, and they held it last night instead of throwing my table to some entitled person who showed up without a reservation and her kids.
“People, empty tables do not equate to free tables. If you don’t understand how it operates, your opinion shouldn’t count.
As one recent Yelp reviewer noted, “They denied Serena Williams and her family entrance to the restaurant today,” reviews on the platform have not yet been screened.
Image credits: peninsulaparis
“I don’t feel comfortable endorsing that kind of enterprise, and I think people ought to be aware of this incident prior to making travel plans.”
Someone else said, “After seeing Serena Williams was denied access because someone in the restaurant didn’t recognize her, it’s astounding that I wanted to experience this restaurant on my upcoming trip.” In general, black people are accepted as long as a staff member recognizes them. That there is such a strong prejudice of Black people in 2024 is quite regrettable. Paris, do better!
Madonna was seen texting in 2013 while watching a film at the New York Film Festival. The musician was later barred from his theaters, according to a tweet (now reposted on X) by the head of the Texas-based Alamo Drafthouse Cinema company.
Some argued that the tennis star shouldn’t use her celebrity status for special treatment
Have you ever had an unforgettable moment? That was yesterday for me. Truly unforgettable. From being part of an amazing Open Ceremony at the Paris Olympics-to riding in the boat in the rain-and it was pouring! So much so my lashes came right on off. Unforgettable!
Photo Credit:… pic.twitter.com/NwlxS4aE2p
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) July 27, 2024
Consequently, a team of marketing specialists examined whether it was worthwhile to provide celebrities preferential treatment.
According to media strategist Phil Hall, “celebrities often use their fame to obtain an awful lot of advantages in life – from upgrades on airlines to first-class treatment in hotels and restaurants” (The Financial Times, 2013). “But benefits come with responsibilities; they can’t expect to be treated special.”
“Unlike most of us, Madonna also happens to be in the envious position of answering to nobody,” Phil continued.
Image credits: serenawilliams
She has the option to return at her own pace or choose to disregard messages. Hence, even if the singer performed in someone else’s movie theater, any company has the right to declare its intentions and capitalize on the attention.
Marc Ostrofsky told the site, “Too frequently we see politicians and famous people who feel and act above the law.” “They ought to be more aware.”
At the time, consultant Malcolm Gooderham made the following argument: “If you believe that any publicity is good publicity, then it is positive that a social media-savvy CEO is using Twitter to comment on a celebrity’s behavior.”
The venue, The Peninsula Paris, also took to social media to reply
Image credits: peninsulaparis
“With consumers’ voracious desire for celebrity rumors and a story’s ability to become viral, it will undoubtedly result in press coverage for your business.
“Celebrities should undoubtedly be bound by the same brand guidelines as everyone else if you wish to maintain brand integrity.
Naturally, if handled properly, this can also result in news.
Image credits: thepeninsulaparis
“Businesses must uphold the standards that their users would expect of them and represent the values of their users.
To safeguard themselves and their company, they must set a good example and exhibit consistency.
“Any departure from this could lead to a backlash as it could mismanage consumer and media expectations.”
People were left divided over the ordeal
