THE doors to the 12-room, family owned Foote Prints on the Sands hotel in Negril were opened in 1985 and, as the property grew over the years, some guests returned again and again. The Footes are hoping their regulars will soon be back to experience what is now a luxury boutique hotel, fresh from a $700-million facelift.

“Some of them became our family as they’ve been coming to Negril and to Foote Prints over 35 years,” said current owner Dr Andre Foote.

“They were coming here when they were in their early 30s; now they are about 70 years old. They are successful but they didn’t leave us, although they had outgrown the property before it was renovated. They are looking forward now to coming to a property that is more in keeping with where they are in life, and they are cheering for us to succeed,” he added.

Even as he repositions the property — it used to be about a three-star experience — he continues to embrace its legacy and rich history.

“Everything is new except the family. We remain a family owned entity, 100 per cent from Westmoreland, 100 per cent Jamaican — and that is unique as far as ownership of the properties in Negril is concerned,” Dr Foote told the Jamaica Observer with more than a hint of pride.

The COVID-19 pandemic was the push the dental surgeon needed to take the hotel to the next level.

“It was run by my mother, primarily, and my sister. Once COVID came and we locked down the property it was now up to my generation, and the question was, ‘What do we do with the property?’” he explained.

“Like any business, the life cycle of the former hotel had come to an end and it was time for rebirth and rejuvenation. We were not making any money. That said, we recognised it would present a challenge to market the new entity with the same name, especially with the importance of social media today. Hence, the pivot, with a leap of faith, to change the name a little, and still keep the property,” Dr Foote added about the new-look Negril Footeprints.