Andy Mcfarlane
@windowseatpreferred.com
✈️ Honest insights on stays, airlines, and hidden gems — from a reformed backpacker turned window-seat connoisseur.
🌍 Limerick-based product manager and travel obsessive.
windowseatpreferred.com
🌍 Limerick-based product manager and travel obsessive.
windowseatpreferred.com
A recent stay at D’Amare Resort & Spa — great location and views, but overall not quite the experience I’d hoped for. Full review and breakdown now live:
windowseatpreferred.com/2025/11/damare-resort-spa-overall-not-amazing/
windowseatpreferred.com/2025/11/damare-resort-spa-overall-not-amazing/
November 14, 2025 at 3:22 PM
A recent stay at D’Amare Resort & Spa — great location and views, but overall not quite the experience I’d hoped for. Full review and breakdown now live:
windowseatpreferred.com/2025/11/damare-resort-spa-overall-not-amazing/
windowseatpreferred.com/2025/11/damare-resort-spa-overall-not-amazing/
During a brief two-night stay in Dublin for work lately, I'd the chance to check in (and check out) The Davenport - overall, plush, peaceful and pretty luxurious for a quick work trip.
Here's the full breakdown; windowseatpreferred....
Here's the full breakdown; windowseatpreferred....
October 21, 2025 at 10:32 AM
During a brief two-night stay in Dublin for work lately, I'd the chance to check in (and check out) The Davenport - overall, plush, peaceful and pretty luxurious for a quick work trip.
Here's the full breakdown; windowseatpreferred....
Here's the full breakdown; windowseatpreferred....
I thought I'd seen packed-to-capacity lounges until a recent visit to the American Flagship Lounge, Chicago 😱 Overall, a lovely lounge, large, airy, well-stocked...but the crowding was something else.
Full Review; windowseatpreferred....
Full Review; windowseatpreferred....
October 8, 2025 at 3:44 PM
I thought I'd seen packed-to-capacity lounges until a recent visit to the American Flagship Lounge, Chicago 😱 Overall, a lovely lounge, large, airy, well-stocked...but the crowding was something else.
Full Review; windowseatpreferred....
Full Review; windowseatpreferred....
On a very brief 2-night stay in Chicago, I checked into (and checked out) the Hyatt Centric The Loop.
Thoughts? A perfectly fine, if a little uninspired, property right in the middle of Corporate-land. Stunning if you enjoy varying shades of beige 😆
Full Review; windowseatpreferred....
Thoughts? A perfectly fine, if a little uninspired, property right in the middle of Corporate-land. Stunning if you enjoy varying shades of beige 😆
Full Review; windowseatpreferred....
October 3, 2025 at 3:26 PM
On a very brief 2-night stay in Chicago, I checked into (and checked out) the Hyatt Centric The Loop.
Thoughts? A perfectly fine, if a little uninspired, property right in the middle of Corporate-land. Stunning if you enjoy varying shades of beige 😆
Full Review; windowseatpreferred....
Thoughts? A perfectly fine, if a little uninspired, property right in the middle of Corporate-land. Stunning if you enjoy varying shades of beige 😆
Full Review; windowseatpreferred....
This year we've been successful a few times using airline 'bid to upgrade' auctions, when paying outright for business doesn't seem great value.
Here's how it works and the strategies that seem to work for us more often than not;
windowseatpreferred....
Here's how it works and the strategies that seem to work for us more often than not;
windowseatpreferred....
September 26, 2025 at 2:33 PM
This year we've been successful a few times using airline 'bid to upgrade' auctions, when paying outright for business doesn't seem great value.
Here's how it works and the strategies that seem to work for us more often than not;
windowseatpreferred....
Here's how it works and the strategies that seem to work for us more often than not;
windowseatpreferred....
After my flight home, I found time to pop into the borderline-secret Aer Lingus Arrivals Lounge for a much-needed double espresso. Sure, I probably won't need to visit very often, but still a welcome amenity all the same. Who else has been? Review; windowseatpreferred....
September 12, 2025 at 3:47 PM
After my flight home, I found time to pop into the borderline-secret Aer Lingus Arrivals Lounge for a much-needed double espresso. Sure, I probably won't need to visit very often, but still a welcome amenity all the same. Who else has been? Review; windowseatpreferred....
Probably my most detail-lacking flight review of them all - after a hectic 60-hour trip to the US, I enjoyed the trip home in Aer Lingus' Business Class.
What have I to show? A review of the cabin and menu, then how well I slept for the entire journey; windowseatpreferred....
What have I to show? A review of the cabin and menu, then how well I slept for the entire journey; windowseatpreferred....
September 8, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Probably my most detail-lacking flight review of them all - after a hectic 60-hour trip to the US, I enjoyed the trip home in Aer Lingus' Business Class.
What have I to show? A review of the cabin and menu, then how well I slept for the entire journey; windowseatpreferred....
What have I to show? A review of the cabin and menu, then how well I slept for the entire journey; windowseatpreferred....
No chance for me to try my limit with the 'two drink' maximum this time (despite an early-morning stiff G&T), but a recent very pleasant (and unexpected) visit to the 51st & Green Lounge in Dublin Airport nevertheless;
windowseatpreferred....
#travelreview #airportlounge
windowseatpreferred....
#travelreview #airportlounge
September 2, 2025 at 8:39 AM
No chance for me to try my limit with the 'two drink' maximum this time (despite an early-morning stiff G&T), but a recent very pleasant (and unexpected) visit to the 51st & Green Lounge in Dublin Airport nevertheless;
windowseatpreferred....
#travelreview #airportlounge
windowseatpreferred....
#travelreview #airportlounge
For our mid-haul trek from Dubai back to Dublin, we opted for the cheapest-of-all option via Athens with Aegean Airlines. Sure, a single-aisle plane and not much in-flight entertainment isn't ideal but overall very positive...
Full Review; windowseatpreferred....
Full Review; windowseatpreferred....
August 14, 2025 at 4:38 PM
For our mid-haul trek from Dubai back to Dublin, we opted for the cheapest-of-all option via Athens with Aegean Airlines. Sure, a single-aisle plane and not much in-flight entertainment isn't ideal but overall very positive...
Full Review; windowseatpreferred....
Full Review; windowseatpreferred....
During our short one-night stay in #Dubai we parked up The Heritage Hotel for the night. Overall a pleasant stay, although no points for the late-night bar noise from downstairs and the door-less bathroom 😐
Full Review; windowseatpreferred....
Full Review; windowseatpreferred....
August 7, 2025 at 4:19 PM
During our short one-night stay in #Dubai we parked up The Heritage Hotel for the night. Overall a pleasant stay, although no points for the late-night bar noise from downstairs and the door-less bathroom 😐
Full Review; windowseatpreferred....
Full Review; windowseatpreferred....
Review of a wonderful 3 nights at the Shangri-La Abu Dhabi; from our room that seemed larger than our entire house, chilling at the pool and sunset rides on an 'Abra' through the hotel property;
windowseatpreferred.com/2025/07/revi...
windowseatpreferred.com/2025/07/revi...
July 28, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Review of a wonderful 3 nights at the Shangri-La Abu Dhabi; from our room that seemed larger than our entire house, chilling at the pool and sunset rides on an 'Abra' through the hotel property;
windowseatpreferred.com/2025/07/revi...
windowseatpreferred.com/2025/07/revi...
Not that we expected to be staying here, but we were very impressed by Sabah Hotel, Sandakan - the room was a good size, the pool even had a local lizard come to visit, and there was a certain rustic/jungle fusion charm.
🛎️ Full review; windowseatpreferred....
🛎️ Full review; windowseatpreferred....
July 17, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Not that we expected to be staying here, but we were very impressed by Sabah Hotel, Sandakan - the room was a good size, the pool even had a local lizard come to visit, and there was a certain rustic/jungle fusion charm.
🛎️ Full review; windowseatpreferred....
🛎️ Full review; windowseatpreferred....
Review of our stay at Grand Hyatt KL - an amazing club lounge, great views, some wonderful staff...and then some not so much, and a very quirky room layout.
Full Review; windowseatpreferred....
#GrandHyattKL #HotelReview
Full Review; windowseatpreferred....
#GrandHyattKL #HotelReview
July 15, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Review of our stay at Grand Hyatt KL - an amazing club lounge, great views, some wonderful staff...and then some not so much, and a very quirky room layout.
Full Review; windowseatpreferred....
#GrandHyattKL #HotelReview
Full Review; windowseatpreferred....
#GrandHyattKL #HotelReview
For our few nights in Kuala Lumpur, we bedded down in the very lovely Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur - in no less than a Premier Selection Suite, enjoying the pool, all the spaciousness, and of course, evening cocktail hour.
Full review; windowseatpreferred....
Full review; windowseatpreferred....
July 15, 2025 at 4:17 PM
For our few nights in Kuala Lumpur, we bedded down in the very lovely Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur - in no less than a Premier Selection Suite, enjoying the pool, all the spaciousness, and of course, evening cocktail hour.
Full review; windowseatpreferred....
Full review; windowseatpreferred....
We ended up being the very impressed, but unexpected guests of Emirates back in February, and had a chance to sample their business class back home to Dublin, on EK161. Great crew, good food, a wonderful nap despite the elderly business cabin.
Full Review; windowseatpreferred.com/2025/07/emir...
Full Review; windowseatpreferred.com/2025/07/emir...
July 9, 2025 at 3:33 PM
We ended up being the very impressed, but unexpected guests of Emirates back in February, and had a chance to sample their business class back home to Dublin, on EK161. Great crew, good food, a wonderful nap despite the elderly business cabin.
Full Review; windowseatpreferred.com/2025/07/emir...
Full Review; windowseatpreferred.com/2025/07/emir...
Flight review from a recent time I foolishly tried to self-connect and wound up late on the first plane stuck on the tarmac with faulty aircon. I'd like to say lesson learned, but we'll see...
Review; windowseatpreferred.com/2025/06/bati...
Review; windowseatpreferred.com/2025/06/bati...
June 17, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Flight review from a recent time I foolishly tried to self-connect and wound up late on the first plane stuck on the tarmac with faulty aircon. I'd like to say lesson learned, but we'll see...
Review; windowseatpreferred.com/2025/06/bati...
Review; windowseatpreferred.com/2025/06/bati...
Aegean Airlines offers one of Europe's most decadent intra-Europe business class experiences - pre-departure beverage (that left me nearly shocked), proper meals, and a relaxing lounge in Athens - read my review on a flight to Dublin recently;
windowseatpreferred.com/2024/10/aege...
windowseatpreferred.com/2024/10/aege...
November 28, 2024 at 10:20 AM
Aegean Airlines offers one of Europe's most decadent intra-Europe business class experiences - pre-departure beverage (that left me nearly shocked), proper meals, and a relaxing lounge in Athens - read my review on a flight to Dublin recently;
windowseatpreferred.com/2024/10/aege...
windowseatpreferred.com/2024/10/aege...
Aww! Poor thing - she looks all cuddled up! Our 14 Y/O lady is Stage 3 kidney disease, sleeping lots but still has her occasional bursts of insanity...and still loves a drive 😆
November 27, 2024 at 2:19 PM
Aww! Poor thing - she looks all cuddled up! Our 14 Y/O lady is Stage 3 kidney disease, sleeping lots but still has her occasional bursts of insanity...and still loves a drive 😆
A fave for me is always take-offs or landings close overwater, where you can see so much contrast and detail - so close. Here's one taking off from Singapore a year ago...
November 20, 2024 at 6:19 PM
A fave for me is always take-offs or landings close overwater, where you can see so much contrast and detail - so close. Here's one taking off from Singapore a year ago...
Back in September, we travelled to Milos, Greece and had a wonderful 3 days sailing around, exploring the stunning beaches, scenery and sunsets - and enjoying a good old-fashioned 'will we survive' backstreet car rental experience.
All on the blog - windowseatpreferred.com/r05o
All on the blog - windowseatpreferred.com/r05o
November 20, 2024 at 2:24 PM
Back in September, we travelled to Milos, Greece and had a wonderful 3 days sailing around, exploring the stunning beaches, scenery and sunsets - and enjoying a good old-fashioned 'will we survive' backstreet car rental experience.
All on the blog - windowseatpreferred.com/r05o
All on the blog - windowseatpreferred.com/r05o
This year, I attended #WTMLDN as a blogger - overall, it was (at first) super overwhelming, but well worth the trips to and from London each day. A quick overview for any other travel bloggers thinking about it for next year;
windowseatpreferred.com/wtm24
windowseatpreferred.com/wtm24
November 15, 2024 at 3:58 PM
This year, I attended #WTMLDN as a blogger - overall, it was (at first) super overwhelming, but well worth the trips to and from London each day. A quick overview for any other travel bloggers thinking about it for next year;
windowseatpreferred.com/wtm24
windowseatpreferred.com/wtm24
First post - hello everyone 👋 I post all-things #travel, hotel & airline reviews - and on my blog, windowseatpreferred.com.
(Pic looking out at the Irish landscape, moments after leaving #DublinAirport )
(Pic looking out at the Irish landscape, moments after leaving #DublinAirport )
December 13, 2023 at 3:09 PM
First post - hello everyone 👋 I post all-things #travel, hotel & airline reviews - and on my blog, windowseatpreferred.com.
(Pic looking out at the Irish landscape, moments after leaving #DublinAirport )
(Pic looking out at the Irish landscape, moments after leaving #DublinAirport )