One Latte, Two Awkward Silences

This is a true story of how a HR director chose a hotel lobby to conduct an exit interview instead of a private meeting room in Dublin city centre.

It started with a coffee order. “Flat white for Brian!” the barista called, right as James O’Connell (name changed!), the HR Director of a mid-sized Dublin tech company, leaned forward and asked one of the toughest questions in the offboarding playbook: “Can you tell me why you’re leaving?”

Cliona, the departing UX designer, hesitated. Not because she didn’t have an answer— but because the man two tables over had paused mid-sip, clearly listening in. The hum of conversation around them dimmed, replaced by the distinct discomfort of being overheard. James forced a smile and tried to keep his voice down.

Welcome to the hotel lobby: elegant in appearance, terrible in execution—for the kind of meeting where honesty is everything and eavesdropping is a deal-breaker.

Why a hotel lobby seemed like a good idea

Let’s give hotel lobbies their due. They’re accessible, aesthetically pleasing, and give off a semi-professional vibe. No need to book in advance. No check-in process. And no financial cost. Just walk in, grab a seat, and go. For HR professionals managing a hybrid team or looking for a neutral location, hotel lounges seem like a smart shortcut. Somewhere in between “corporate boardroom” and “casual catch-up.”

That’s what James thought, too—until Cliona gave him a look that said, 'Are we seriously doing this here?'

The Privacy Illusion

Here’s the core issue, and it’s a big one: Hotel lobbies are not private. Not even close. Exit interviews are not casual coffee chats. They’re a delicate balancing act between gratitude, feedback, policy, and reflection. The leaver is often emotional—sometimes grateful, sometimes frustrated, usually both. The employer needs to ask hard questions without sounding confrontational. But in a hotel lobby, every word has an audience. Conversations echo. Strangers hover.

And for Cliona and James, it turned the entire process into a theatrical performance— with unwilling spectators.

“To be honest,” Cliona whispered, glancing nervously at a woman with a clipboard, “some of the management decisions just didn’t feel... inclusive.” She trailed off. The woman nearby looked up from her notes. James couldn’t tell if she worked for the hotel or was just another guest. Either way, the damage was done. In an office meeting room, that feedback might have led to valuable reflection. Here, it barely left her lips. 

The Cost of Compromised Honesty

From an HR standpoint, the goal of an exit interview isn’t just formalities—it’s insight. Why is someone really leaving? What could the company have done differently? Would they recommend the workplace to others? But when employees don’t feel safe to speak, the real feedback gets lost.

James knew it as he scribbled notes that lacked substance. This wasn’t an honest exit interview. It was a PR-safe version of the truth, watered down by strangers in close proximity and the low thrum of coffee machines, and bar noise. That’s when he realized: it wasn’t just uncomfortable.... it was unproductive.

Hotel Staff ≠ Office Support

Let’s talk about another unintended consequence of holding your most sensitive meetings in shared spaces.

Five minutes into the discussion, a hotel manager walked over to James and Cliona. Smiling, polite—but firm. “Apologies, but this section is reserved for a group arriving shortly. Would you mind relocating to the other side of the lounge?”

Cliona raised an eyebrow. James gave an awkward chuckle and began packing up his files. Not only was the meeting already compromised—it now had to relocate mid-sentence. The moment was lost. The flow broken. You can't control the environment in a hotel lobby. No matter how many stars the hotel has, your meeting is never their priority. You are a guest in someone else’s workspace.

When Privacy is a Requirement.

Never again. Some months later, James had another exit interview and he wasn't about to commit to the same mistake. At tcube, James booked a small meeting room and discovered the difference immediately. No baristas. No background chatter. No strangers hovering nearby with hotel badges and polite smiles. Just a simple, quiet space; where he could ask important questions and get real answers.

Relaxed, Ronan gave James detailed feedback during his exit interview: feedback on team communication, onboarding gaps, and ideas for improving inclusion. None of it felt forced. None of it was rushed. Ronan spoke confidently, knowing no one was listening behind a curtain or sipping lattes three feet away. And James? He left with insight gold, not just a signature.

What a Real Meeting Room Offers

Here's what James gained by switching from a hotel lobby to a professional space at tcube:

• Soundproof walls → No distractions, no need to whisper

• Bookable privacy → No “please move” mid-meeting

• Comfortable seating and work surfaces → Real conversation, not coffee balancing gymnastics

• Secure Wi-Fi & print support → Safely review contracts, NDAs, or HR docs on the spot

It’s not about luxury. It’s about having the right tools for one of the most overlooked— yet impactful—moments in employee experience.

Make Your Last Impression the Best One

For employers navigating hybrid schedules, scaling operations, and managing attrition, exit interviews are the final handshake—and they matter.

Hotel lobbies may offer style, but they rob these moments of the one thing that matters most: privacy. Without it, honest feedback becomes impossible, and the opportunity for improvement disappears. tcube's meeting rooms offer what hotel lobbies can't: a controlled, quiet, secure space for meaningful offboarding. And in a world where talent speaks louder than ever, that space can make all the difference. B

Exit interviews are more than HR formality. They shape your employer brand, your future retention, and your workplace culture. And because of this, the end of someone’s journey at your company… should never be a public spectacle. Say goodbye with dignity, not distraction.