Table of Contents
Introduction
If you are planning a luxury vacation in the Caribbean, Sandals Resorts can be a good option. These exotic resorts are famous for their extravagance, abundance of natural beauty, oceanic views, adventure sports, plush suites, and Caribbean delicacies.
These 17 all-inclusive, award-winning, couples-only resorts are located in over 7 locations in the Caribbean and give you ample opportunities to choose your next romantic vacation. The airport round trips ( to and from the arrival airport) are complimentary in all. Of these 17, 7 are located in Jamaica, 3 in St. Lucia, 2 in Barbados and Bahamas each, and 1 in Curacao, Antigua, and Grenada each.
Highlights of Sandals Resorts
Royal Caribbean
It is a jewel in the heart of the Caribbean. Rewarded as one of the top 10 Romance hotels in the Caribbean, this getaway is a popular choice for couples looking forward to spending some private moments amidst the tranquility of the ocean. Sandals Royal Caribbean is situated in Montego Bay and provides tourists with luxuries like beach cabanas, a classy British pub, candlelight dinners, and a private offshore island.
The couples can stay in over-the-water bungalows and villas. These spacious accommodations at Sandals Royal Caribbean are perched above the crystal-clear waters, providing breathtaking views and direct access to the sea. They often feature private infinity pools, outdoor showers, and glass floors to observe marine life.
In addition to the over-the-water bungalows, Sandals Royal Caribbean offers a variety of other room categories, including suites with private plunge pools, beachfront villas, and standard rooms. The accommodations are elegantly designed and equipped with modern amenities.
One of the unique features of the Sandals Royal Caribbean is its private island, known as “Sandals Cay.” Guests have exclusive access to this secluded offshore island, which features a private beach, a pool with a swim-up bar, and a Thai restaurant. It’s a perfect spot for relaxation and enjoying the Caribbean waters.
While you are here, you will see the Great House built in Georgian and British styles. Adventure tours, catamaran cruises, scuba diving, spa messaging, 9 exclusive restaurants, and pools are the main highlights of this resort. It provides its visitors the luxury of “stay-at-one, play-at-two”, which means that while you book and stay at Royal Caribbean, you can enjoy all the amenities, restaurants, and pubs of the nearby Montego Bay. This resort received Conde Nast Traveler’s Choice Award for being the Top Resorts in the Caribbean in 2021.
The resort boasts a selection of gourmet dining options, including international cuisines like Thai, Caribbean, French, and Italian. Guests can enjoy a range of dining experiences from fine dining restaurants to casual beachfront eateries. The resort also offers a unique British pub experience with its authentic English-style pub.
Negril
This beach resort in Jamaica is a tropical haven for couples. This upscale accommodation has a 7-mile beach and is awarded Traveler’s Choice Top All-inclusive Resorts in the Caribbean in 2022. Negril is also on the list of the Most Romantic Hotels in the Caribbean, 2022.
7 gourmet restaurants provide world-class delicacies and 7 bars provide premium hard drinks, making your dream to dine and wine on a tropical island a reality. Swim in pools, learn scuba diving, do water-skiing, kayaking, and paddle-boarding while you are here. Negril provides beachfront butler suites for its guests along with exclusive butler service. Highlights of these are Mayfield Falls and Rock’s Cafe. It is known for its swim-up suites, water sports, and Italian restaurants.
Montego Bay
The resort was on the list of Top Resorts in the Caribbean in 2021. Montego Bay is an award winner resort having got the Scuba Diving‘s Reader Choice Awards 2021 along with Conde Nast Traveler’s Annual Reader’s Choice Award. The resort is known for its exclusive location, amazing sea views, and open-air lobby. Accommodations include several newly designed swim-up Butler suites.
Couples can have tasty delicacies in any of the 12 gourmet restaurants and take a sip of wine at the beachfront and over-the-water bars. Spend your days exploring this exotic place and at night, have a cozy firepit gazing or have a private candlelight dinner. A lot of adventure sports and spas are the other ways you can spend your days at Montego Bay.
Ochi
These sandals resorts have been designed for lovers of chic styles. Spend your day at Caribbean Riviera or Ochi Beach Club. One can have private escapes to the Garden of Eden which is sprawled over 100 acres of land. Sip your favorite drinks at 11 unique bars and have exotic dishes at 16 restaurants. Practice golf at the 18-hole golf course, visit Dunn’s Waterfalls located nearby, or spend your day in something more adventurous: catamaran cruises and bamboo river rafting at Martha Brae.
Ochi provides hotel transfers from Kingston and Montego Bay. Like Sandals Royal Caribbean, this resort also provides a “stay-at-one, play at two” option to all tourists. While being here, you can enjoy all the amenities, restaurants, and pubs of Royal Caribbean. Ochi is an EarthCheck Master Certified resort. It is also the winner of the Caribbean’s Leading Luxury All-Inclusive Resort Award. Ochi is the lowest price sandals resort among all of them, with the price per person per night starting at about $190.
Royal Plantation
One of the other resorts at Ochi Rios is Royal Plantation. It is an All-Butler beach resort that gives exclusive oceanic views. For couples looking to spend some private time, spend your days languishing at two exclusive private cove beaches. Have gourmet dishes at 5 upscale restaurants. Like others, this beach resort offers a “stay-at-one, play-at-two” option with the other resort being Ochi. Play golf at 18-hole Upton Estate Golf and Country Club. This resort was awarded Traveler’s Choice Award for being the Most Romantic Hotel in the Caribbean in 2022. The staff provides airport transfers from Kingston and Montego Bay.
South Coast
If you are looking forward to staying in some exclusive over-the-water bungalows, South Coast is the right option. You can even have your favorite drinks at the over-the-water bar. Enjoy long walks on its 2-mile beach or soak yourself in the 3 beachfront pools.
This resort is famous for having the largest zero-entry pool in Jamaica. Stay at swim-up suites and rondovals. The main attraction is the re-crafted Dutch Village beachfront. Pick snacks at 9 gourmet restaurants and enjoy unlimited hard drinks at one of its 7 bars. Studded with Star Diamond Award, South Coast offers excursions to YS Falls and Appleton Rum Estate. It also provides catamaran cruises and treetop ziplining.
Dunn’s River
This is an all-new resort in Jamaica that opened on May 24, 2023 with much fan-fare. If you are a nature enthusiast, Dunn’s River will offer several exclusive options to watch like thick forests, immaculate beaches, and lovely waterfalls.
This resort would come up as Jamaica’s first SkyPool Suites resort. Once you are here, do not forget to taste Jamaican Rum and Coffee. The Rum is prepared with local ingredients sugarcane and coconuts, thus imparting a unique taste. Stay at Coyaba Sky Rondovals Suites which are provided with private sanctuaries. For lovers of history, St. Anne is the prime attraction here. Visit Green Grotto Caves and play with beautiful dolphins at Dolphin Cove. Dunn’s River would provide stay-at-one, play-at-all options for its visitors.
Grande St. Lucian
Grande St. Lucian is located on Rodney Bay at Gros-Islet, St. Lucia. This exclusive resort too has won many accolades and awards. It is on the list of Top 25 All-Inclusive Resorts Caribbean by Traveler’s Choice 2021. Come here to enjoy the serenity, tranquil waters, and 360-degree ocean views.
In the vicinity of Grande St. Lucian, you can see volcanic mountains. Dip yourself in one of the 5 grand pools, play-and-practice golf at the famous Country Club. Pamper yourself by staying in beachfront rondovals and over-the-water bungalows. Taste gourmet food at 12 restaurants. This resort provides a “stay-at-one, play-at-three” option as you can enjoy all the amenities of the other two nearby places (Halcyon Beach and Regency La Toc).
Regency La Toc
Sprawled over more than 200 acres, this resort is called the most glamorous resort of St Lucia and is also termed Emerald of the Carribean. Tourists flock here for breathtaking sceneries and sunsets. There is a small resort within this lovely place that goes by the name of OceanView Bluff Village. The highlight of Regency La Toc is the shimmering water that surrounds it.
OceanView Bluff Millionaire Villas provide elegant accommodation options. The beach surrounding the villas is shaped in the form of a crescent and runs about half a mile. The 9 restaurants here are all 5-starred. It has received Gold-Overall Golf Resort from Magellan Awards 2018. This is a “stay-at-one, play-at-three” resort with the other two being Royal Grand St. Lucian and Halcyon Beach.
Halcyon Beach
Accommodations at Halcyon Beach are all-new and provide options in the form of rondovals and beachfront suites. It is the third of the “stay-at-one, play-at-three” resort of St Lucia. The place is knowns for 600 feet pool, the largest pool in the Caribbean.
The stays are made more opulent by over-the-water restaurants, swim-up suites, and private candlelight dinners. La Toc Golf Course and Cap Estate Golf & Country Club are the two sites for golf lovers. The place is famous for its white sand, pristine beaches, and tropical beauty. Enjoy your meals at 6 dining restaurants and 7 bars.
Royal Curacao
For lovers of desert landscapes, Royal Curacao is the best option. The sand of the desert provides a lovely backdrop to the turquoise waters of the ocean. There are a number of oceanfront Acres here. The resort provides a Mini Cooper that you can use for exploring this exquisite place. Live in Butler Bungalows and enjoy plunging yourself in 2-level pools.
The accommodation options are unique as this sandal has unique AWA SeaSide Bungalows and Kurason Island Suites. Majestic views of Tafelberg Mountain will capture your heart. For those who are looking for a destination wedding, Royal Curacao is a perfect option to take vows.
Grande Antigua
This place is located on Dickenson Bay and is known for its BeachFront Village (which is studded with palm trees) and white sandy beaches. It offers romantic villas and rondovals by the sea. Antigua is unique for having the largest pool in the Eastern Caribbean. It is awarded World’s Most Romantic Resort multiple times.
Barbados
The resort is known for its premier location. Provides the couples with swim-up suites, 3 pools, 11 dining options, and private lounges. Barbados is a 5-star luxury resort that is known for its Dover Beach. It has been awarded Barbados’ Best Resort Spa. Enjoy unlimited food and wine with its “stay-at-one, play-at-two” option (the other being Royal Barbados) at the cost of one.
Royal Barbados
Royal Barbados is one of the avant-garde places that offer a multitude of accommodation options in the form of SkyPool Suites, Swim-up Suites, and Millionaire Suites. Royal Barbados carries the distinction of having the first rooftop pool and the first rooftop restaurant among all the Caribbean beauties. This leading resort is famous for its opulence. It has a 4-lane alley for lovers of bowling.
Royal Bahamian
It is a beach resort that offers VIP transfers in plush Rolls Royce and Mercedez Benz. Come here to bathe yourself in two big-size pools and have an adventure on an offshore island. The Royal Bahamian is a popular choice for gastronomers as it offers plenty of dining options. Relish good food and wines at its 10 restaurants, 8 bars, and some food trucks. This resort is built on three white sandy beaches that provide ultimate privacy to couples.
Emerald Bay
This is a beachfront resort that offers unique accommodation options in the form of private villas and several pools. Spread across half an acre is its zero-entry pool. The beach runs a mile long and offers you swim-up bars and cozy firepits. Enjoy scenic beauty at Exumas. Emerald Bay is not very far from the coast of Florida. Come here for an extravagant vacation coupled with 11 restaurants and 6 bars.
Rooms and Suites
Let us now see a few of these room types that are available here:
Sandals Swim Up Rooms
Sandals swim up rooms can be the best options for the couples who are looking to have a pool from their private patio. So, there is no need to go anywhere else as pool is at your doorstep!! Just plunge into it and be relaxed. The swim up rooms offer you large, fully private patio with a tranquility soaking tub for two. Wet yourself in the pool while nibbling your favorite snacks. There is a dedicated poolside service provided for such rooms.
The Sandals swim up rooms are available at Curacio, Royal Caribbean, Negril, South Coast, Dunn’s Water, Grenada, Barbados, Royal Barbados, St. Lucian, Halcyon, and Royal Bahamian.
Sandals Club Level Rooms
Sandals Club Level Rooms are upscale accommodations that provides their guests with exclusivity, extravagance, more amenities, enhanced comfort, and one-to-one service request. These rooms have their proximity to prime locations such as beaches and pools. The guests of the club level rooms are provided with access to a private lounge that offers them privileges like food, snacks, and premium beverages.
The guests are provided with more in-room amenities than other rooms. There is a dedicated concierge that the club room guests use for booking their spa massages, excursions, and making dining reservations. Club Level rooms provide enhanced comfort and exclusive privileges. The couples can enjoy personalized turndown services including aromatherapy and other special treatments.
At Club Lounge, you can have 24 hour access, HDTV, board games, books, newspapers, tea & coffee machines, soothing music , alcoholic beverages, snacks, and in-room orientation.
Sandals Club Level Rooms are available in all the resorts except Royal Plantation, in Ocho Rios.
Crystal Lagoon Luxury Honeymoon Rooms
The Crystal Lagoon rooms are provided with a majestic view of a calm lagoon and provide a cozy tranquility soaking tub for couples in their private patio. Specifically, the Barbados Crystal Lagoon Luxury Honeymoon rooms at Barbados provide a romantic setting for the honeymooners.
The breathtaking views of the lagoon are the hallmark of these rooms making them perfect for newlyweds. The sitting area is spacious. These rooms have king-size beds, an HDTV, premium linens, and high quality furnishings. Guests are provided with an exclusive butler service for making special arrangements, booking dining, and requesting personalized services. To set the mood for the honeymooners, these rooms area adorned with flowers and candles along with a special surprise for the two.
Crystal Lagoon Rooms are available in Negril, Montego Bay, Royal Barbados and Royal Bahamian.
Over-the-Water Villas are available at Royal Caribbean while Over-the-Water Bungalows are available at Royal Caribbean, South Coast, and St Lucian. For those who are looking for Sandals 2-Story Rooms, Negril, Regency La Toc, St Lucian, and Emerald Bay are good options. SkyPool Suites can be availed at Royal Barbados, Grenada, and Dunn’s Water. The exclusive Romeo and Juliet Suites can be booked at Royal Caribbean, Montego Bay, Ochi, and Antigua.
Amenities
- Gourmet Dining: 5-star gourmet dining is the highlight of all these 17 beauties in the Caribbean. The food is prepared only with the fresh ingredients and cooked under the culinary brilliance of master chefs. Once you are here, you can relish almost all the cuisines present on earth! Be it Thai, Italian, Indian, American, Asian, or Caribbean, they have it all. Have mouthwatering dishes at a fine dining restaurant or have a altogether experience in a beachfront eatery.
- Alcoholic Beverages: The place provides unlimited drinks in an award-winning ambiance, You can have a taste of different varieties of Robert Mondavi Twin Oaks wines: Merlot, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, and others. The resort also offers a unique British pub experience with its authentic English-style. Qualified bartenders serve you with liquors such as Absolut, Jack Daniels, Jim Beam, Bombay Sapphire, Johnnie Walker, and others.
- Water Sports and Activities: There is no way that you end up only dining and wining at these places. Your trip cannot be complete without playing a number of water and land sports that can really raise your adrenaline levels. The resorts provide scuba diving, kayaking, snorkeling, wind-surfing, paddle boarding, tennis, volleyball, beach volleyball. You can also enjoy water-skiing, knee-boarding, aqua trikes, boogie boards, and snuba (scuba plus snorkeling). For the lovers of golf, they provide multiple rounds for all the skill levels.
- Red Lane Spa: This is the specialty of all the resorts. A rejuvenating treat for all those who are looking for relaxing massages, body scrubs, and facials.
- Other Amenities: The other amenities at sandals resorts include non-stop resort transfer, assistance with immigration, Airport Lounge (where you wait while our attendant makes arrangement for your transfers), beach parties, live music, fire-dances, so much more.
Restaurants
Let us have a look what this place offers in terms of dining.
Sandals Dunn’s River Restaurants
There are 12 restaurants (including bars) that serve specialty food and drinks at Dunn’s River. Food is prepared by fully-trained chefs and you can enjoy delectable continental dishes while watching the mesmerizing ocean views.
- Saltaire: It is an open-air restaurant that provides international food with amazing ocean views. Eat here for different world cuisines.
- Edessa: Overlooking sea, Edessa is a Greek styled restaurant and is named after an ancient city by the same name. You can enjoy delightful dishes while felling special sitting in the Greek ambiance.
- Lamanade: For gastronomes looking for French delicacies, Lamanade is the perfect choice. The food is prepared from the local ingredients in the French style. This restaurant, in particular, requires you to come up in an evening attire dress code. Short dresses are not allowed here.
- Cascata: This Italian restaurant serves you food in romantic decor.
- Banyu: The lovers of Asian food, can enjoy delectable cuisines at Banyu where they serve Thai, Japanese, and other Asian food.
- Zuka: The culinary delights from Central and South America is the best option for the couples looking for some Latin delicacies.
Sandals Royal Bahamian Restaurants
- La Plume: Known for its French delicacies, La Plume is a restaurant that has a number of dishes in its platter. Start your day with juices, yogurt, cereals, oatmeal, croissants, muffins, and Egg Benedict (grilled ham, paprika dust and hollandaise sauce). Relish smoke salmon, corned beef hash (with pancakes, grilled ham and banana french toast). Enjoy Escargots a la Bourguignonne (tender snails) at dinner, or taste restaurant’s signature dish: Cordon Bleu De Poulet (ham and cheese-filled chicken breast).
- Butch’s: Named after these resorts’ founder, Gordon Butch, this restaurant serves you with authentic Mediterranean dishes. You need to make a prior reservation for this restaurant and need to follow the dress code (evening attire). The place is known for Mediterranean beef, Clam & Corn Chowder (Chorizo, bacon, potatoes, garlic), Crab Cake, and its Signature Dish: Classic Steak Diane. Relish Chocolate Sin Pie (dark chocolate mousse with pecan brownie and fudge sauce).
- Tesoro: This serves delectable Italian pizzas baked over stone ovens. Visit the place for some really good Italian pastas. Their lunch menu offers different pizzas: Margherita, Pepperoni, Pesto, Shrimp, Caribbean, and Vegetarian.
- Aralia House: Lovers of grilled seafood can opt for Aralia House. You are served with traditional Bahamian and Caribbean dishes here. The place is known for its Chicken Queasadillas (sauteed onions, pepper, and guacamole), Shrimp Tiradito (with orange and caramelized onions), Chargrilled Beef Burger, Jerk Chicken, Salmon & Conch Ceviche, and Vegetarian Burger.
- Calico Cafe: Spend your day languishing at Calcio where you can munch grilled food while having beautiful view by the Caribbean Sea. Start your day with Chef’s Salad, Greek Salad, and Nachos. For vegetarians, there is a Plant-based Hungry Planet Burger with lettuce, tomatoes and onions. Grilled Chicken & Pesto Panini Sandwich is the cafe’s signature dish.
Other Royal Bahamian Restaurants are Soy (for sushi), Queen’s Pearl (British Pub), Gordon’s (Sea Food), and Kimonos (Japanese cuisine)
Travel Agents for Sandals Resorts
This destination works with travel agents who can assist you in planning and booking your vacation. These agents have the insider knowledge about the places and help you get best options possible.
To find best travel agents for sandals resorts, you can do the following:
- Search on Official Website: The company works with its own travel agents whom you can contact via website. Click Find a Travel Agent option on the site and you would be prompted to enter your location/pin-code. It gives you a list of travel agents in your area.
- Ask Family and Friends: It is the best way to find trustworthy travel agents for sandals. You also get valuable insights from them.
- Search Online: Apart from the website, you can make an online search for the travel agents that can help you make your booking and provide you with best offers.
- Contact Travel Agency Associations: There are several professional travel agency associations such as the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA). Contacting these associations would give you access to their directories that will help you find certified and reputable travel agents.
Is it Better to Book Sandals Through a Travel Agent?
For your vacation, it is better to book via a travel agent. As they are specialists and know more than you, they can help book this destination that suit your preferences the best. Most of these agents can provide you with awesome deals that are not available on the Website. This can save both your time and money. Links to a few of these travel agents for sandals resorts are given below:
Are There Any Sandals Nude Resorts?
The place offers private and secluded sections of the beach where guests can enjoy privacy and relaxation. These areas provide a more intimate setting for couples to enjoy the beach and ocean without clothing restrictions. Royal Caribbean provides clothing-optional over private offshore islands. However, it’s important to note that full nudity is not permitted in these areas, and guests are generally expected to adhere to the resort’s dress code policies. If anyone gets offended, the staff may ask you to cover up.
Pros and Cons of Sandals Resorts
There are several pros and cons of the sandals resorts that you must be aware of. Let us see why you should or shouldn’t visit them
Why Should You Go There?
- All-inclusive Experience: These are all-inclusive luxury abodes of the Caribbean. The packages provided by them include almost everything: be it accommodations, meals, drinks, activities, or entertainment.
- Luxury Accommodations: They provide luxurious apartments laced with all the avant-grade amenities. You are provided with butler service, private pools, and above all mesmerizing sea and beachfront views.
- Variety of Dining Options: While here, you can enjoy immense culinary pleasure as the resorts offer you a plenty of dining options. There are multiple restaurants in each of these places, leaving you with a whole lot of mouth-watering options.
- Activities and Entertainment: There is no dearth of adventure and sports at these destinations. The guests can spend their time playing water and land sports.
- Adults-only Atmosphere: These are for couples only; this adds a exclusive and romantic vibe to the atmosphere.
Why You Should Not?
- High Prices: The biggest flip side is that these come with a hefty price tag. It might not suit budget-conscious travelers.
- Couples-Oriented: Being the couples-only, you cannot take your family with you. While this may be good for some travelers, the one seeking family-oriented environment might not find the place suitable.
- Crowded During Peak Seasons: The resorts might be crowded during peak season and you might not find the place that reclusive as it can be in the off-season.
- Additional Fees for Certain Services: Although these resorts are all-inclusive, there might be additional fee charged for some of the activities services. For example, you may have to pay extra for spa treatments, snuba diving, upgraded excursions, or premium alcoholic beverages.
You should keep in mind these pros and cons of sandals resorts before you plan your trip.
Other Tidbits
Location | Nearest Arrival Airport | Distance from Airport | Starting Price Per Person Per Night | Excursions | |
Resort Name | |||||
Montego Bay | Montego Bay, Jamaica | Montego Bay Sangster International Airport | 4.8 km | $300 | Bamboo River Rafting over Martha Brae River |
Royal Caribbean | Montego Bay, Jamaica | Montego Bay Sangster International Airport | 5.6 km | $317 | Bamboo River Rafting over Martha Brae River |
Negril | Negril, Jamaica | Montego Bay Sangster International Airport | 72 km | $247 | Mayfield Falls river walk |
Royal Plantation | Ocho Rios, Jamaica | Ian Fleming International Airport | 14 km | $252 | Dunn’s River Falls and the Ocho Rios Blue Hole |
Ochi | Ocho Rios, Jamaica | Ian Fleming International Airport | 14 km | $191 | Dunn’s River Falls and the Ocho Rios Blue Hole |
South Coast | Whitehouse, Jamaica | Montego Bay Sangster International Airport | 63.5 km | $301 | YS Falls, Pelican Bar |
Dunn’s River | Ocho Rios, Jamaica | Ian Fleming International Airport | 23.8 km | $389 | Green Grotto caves, Dolphin Cove, |
Royal Curacao | Santa Barbara, Curacao | Curaçao International Airport | 26 km | $312 | Klein Curaçao, Willemstad |
Grande Antigua | St. John’s, Antigua | V.C. Bird International Airport | 11 km | $248 | Dickenson Bay |
Grenada | St. George’s, Grenada | Maurice Bishop International Airport | 2 km | $270 | Levera National Park, Underwater Sculpture Park |
Barbados | St. Lawrence Gap, Barbados | Grantley Adams International Airport | 12 km | $236 | Bridgetown and Hunte’s Gardens |
Royal Barbados | St. Lawrence Gap, Barbados | Grantley Adams International Airport | 12 km | $334 | Bridgetown and Hunte’s Gardens |
Regency La Toc | Castries, St. Lucia | Hewanorra International Airport | 55 km | $263 | Anse Chastanet Reef, Sulphur Springs, Pitons |
Grande St. Lucian | Gros-Islet, St. Lucia | Hewanorra International Airport | 66 km | $281 | Pigeon Island National Park, Sulphur Springs, Pitons |
Halcyon Beach | Castries, St. Lucia | Hewanorra International Airport | 58 km | $246 | Anse Chastanet Reef, Sulphur Springs, Pitons |
Royal Bahamian | Nassau, Bahamas | Lynden Pindling International Airport | 7.4 km | $307 | Rose Island, Nassau Town Center |
Emerald Bay | Great Exuma, Bahamas | Georgetown International Airport | 10.7 km | $390 | Swimming Pigs, Thunderball Grotto |
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