Visit to Queen Mary University of London

I was happy to meet and chat with Simon Barlow, Marketing and Communications Executive at Queen Mary University of London.  We spoke for hours about our respective universities, student admission to the U.K. universities (fascinating!) and general conference operations. 

I was amazed to find out that U.K. university accommodations could be awarded a star rating just like a hotel (1-5 stars).  Can you imagine?  The ratings are awarded by a group called Quality in Tourism http://www.qualityintourism.com/.  (click on University/Campus for information).  You do have to pay for a representative to visit your campus and from what I understand there are two types of visits: day visit and overnight visit.  Once completed you are provided with a rating and told what items or amenities could be added to bring your rating to the next level (i.e. bed side lamps, bath mats, etc.).  I wonder if this is something we would ever want for U.S. university accommodations.  Interesting concept, right?

Queen Mary had very nice en suite rooms (pictures below).  I was impressed with the bedding, towels, pillows (2), bottled shampoo and fridge in every room.  Many of the residence hall rooms face a canal that weaves its way to Central London.  Their university is also only 1 mile away from what is going to be the main Olympic Village so they will be quite busy in 2012.

In talking with Simon I found out Venuemasters offers their members a "mystery shopper" service whereby a rep from Venuemastars will call your university posing as a potential client.  Once the inquiry is completed they provide you with a report on the quality of your service.  How would we all rate?  Do any of the U.S. schools have something like this in place?    I would be interested to hear.

For more information on the Conferences Department at Queen Mary please visit their website at:
http://www.conferences.qmul.ac.uk/

Thank you for the wonderful tour and chat Simon!