Prior to taking a flight from Istanbul to Vienna, I had a chance to visit all three Priority Pass lounges in the international terminal of Ataturk airport. The first one I hopped into was the HSBC Premier Lounge.
To get to the lounge, you have to turn right after security. When you reach the food court area, you will see a pair of escalators.
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The HSBC Premier Lounge is one level above – on the second floor.
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Lounge Overview
After entering the lounge – which is basically one large room, I was welcomed at the reception desk where my Priority Pass card was swiped.
To the left of the reception was a hallway leading to the restrooms. There were also some lockers for personal belongings and smartphone chargers.
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To the right of the reception, there was a small business center with four computers and a printer.
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In the main part of the lounge, on the left side, there was the dining area with a buffet (more about that further down) and some counter-height seating as well as dining tables.
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The rest of the HSBC Premier Lounge is more or less a relaxation zone with a variety of sofa and lounging chairs – some with a view of the terminal. And, some with a view of a large TV.
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Food & Drinks Selection
Going back to the buffet, it offered an acceptable selection of drinks and snacks.
There was a soda dispenser with the usual Coca-Cola products, a couple of juices, and tea and coffee.
There was also some wine, liquor, and even beer on tap.
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As for food, there were some cold snacks – including cookies, pastries, cakes, bread, and salads.
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On the warm side, there was one dish and tomato soup.
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HSBC Premier Lounge Istanbul Summary
Overall, while the HSBC Premier Lounge at Istanbul Ataturk airport is decent, if you are a Priority Pass holder, I would suggest you to visit the Primeclass CIP Lounge. Of course, if you have the unlimited membership, there is no reason not to give this lounge a quick visit too – the cheese cake was pretty good!
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