Review: Istanbul Ataturk Airport International Terminal Primeclass CIP Lounge

After dropping by the HSBC Club Lounge and stuffing myself full of cake, I made my way down two floors to the Primeclass CIP Lounge. This is the same lounge that British Airways uses operating out of Istanbul.

It was immediately clear that this lounge offered many more amenities than the HSBC Club Lounge. For one, there are showers, which I always appreciate during a layover, but I also saw headphones for PS3 and individual TV use for loan at the front desk. In addition, there’s a children’s play room immediately to the right upon entering the lounge, which I imagine is very useful for families.

This lounge is also larger and more spacious than the HSBC club lounge. Although it’s also a one-room format, it’s a much larger room, and it didn’t feel crowded at all when I was there.

The food options are also much more plentiful, except in the dessert category. It’s clear that both lounges are catered by the same people based on some of the common food options, but this lounge just has more to offer. Although I’m not sure I’d want to eat sushi from an airport lounge in Istanbul…

I didn’t eat much as I had not exercised restraint on the dessert options at the other lounge, but the food looked decent. They even had pide, which is the Turkish version of pizza.

There was also an ample bar area, but I didn’t see a bartender when I was there, nor did it appear that anyone tried getting a drink from the bar.

Overall, I enjoyed this lounge a lot, and it’d be my Priority Pass recommendation for Istanbul Ataturk. The showers alone would be enough for me to recommend it above the HSBC Club Lounge, but the more extensive food options and additional amenities make this a clear choice unless you’re just looking to grab some food to go.