Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles - 8 hours in IST?

Am presently in Istanbul and am flying tomorrow night IST-HKG.

My better half is presently with me but is flying with TK as well tomorrow afternoon onto Rome. Her flight is at around 15.00, while mine is at around 23.00, so quite a big gap.

Now is it worthwhile me heading to IST early with her and kicking around the airport, lounge, etc, or will I get very bored? Is there enough to do in IST?

If I were to go that early (i.e. with my better half, therefore arriving at around 13.00 at the airport) would I be able to check in for my flight. Also would my better half be able to use the TK lounge (she's flying econ to Rome, while I'm in biz to HKG).

I know I could hang around in Istanbul until evening, we've done all the sights we want to see, or does anyone have any other suggestions?

IST is very boring and the lounge is horrible and noisy with TVs blaring everywhere. Stay in the city as long as you can.

Make sure you don't go through to the lounge with the intention of returning to the city. I did, and wasn't allowed to leave the terminal to re-enter Turkey.

Not good.

thanks for the info.

have no intention of returning back to turkey once checked in.

i'm just worried i have nothing left to do in istanbul so will be totally bored if i stayed in town.

I also note that one of the priority pass lounges is closed until from 15 till 25 July and pax who would normally use this lounge will get access to the TK CIP Lounge. I presume this means that the TK lounge will be busier than usual.