Michigan State University forensic anthropology students enjoy their stay at Marsham Court Hotel in Bournemouth. Since 2006, the MSU has stayed at the hotel for ten consecutive years. Picture by Deep South Media account manager Neil Walton.
A team of forensic anthropologists and students from Michigan State University are celebrating their tenth successive year at a top Bournemouth hotel.
Since 2006, over 100 Michigan students in total have stayed at the Marsham Court Hotel for a week each year as part of the Forensic Anthropology department’s five-week study abroad programme, led by Dr Todd Fenton and Professor Norman Sauer.
Forensic anthropology is the study of human remains, often with the aim of establishing gender, age, ancestry and a variety of other identifiers.
Professor Sauer praised the cliff-top venue in Russell Cotes Road, which offers stunning panoramic sea views along the south coast.
“In 2006 we asked a lot of people where a good place to stay might be and we chose Marsham Court Hotel. Since then it’s been an ideal location for us.
“It would be tough to find a better base – the staff treat us like family and that’s how we feel each time we return.
“I can speak on behalf of the students when I say we feel very welcome and the staff bend over backwards to make our time here as enjoyable as possible.”
For Rosie Wallace, managing director at Marsham Court, excellent customer service is a key factor in helping to attract returning customers.
She said: “Our philosophy has always been that it’s the attention to detail that ensures our guests return year after year.
“Exceptional service is given as standard at the Marsham Court and the team are like a close-knit family, taking time to build professional and friendly relationships with our guests.
“It’s great for our guests to see familiar faces when they return and therefore we learn their preferences, which helps us deliver the best possible service.”
The Michigan State University (MSU) study abroad programme begins and ends with a fortnight in London, with studies conducted during the middle week at Bournemouth University while based at Marsham Court.
While in Bournemouth the group studied human skeletal anatomy with the aim of exposing students to osteological methods including estimations of sex, age at death, family history and stature.
Professor Sauer also highlighted the importance of the Bournemouth visit for the students.
He said: “The university facilities and materials are superb and are ideal for our course. It’s also very important for us to have that contrast between the busy city and a wonderful seaside town.”
So far in 2016 Marsham Court has won the Bournemouth Tourism award for best large hotel, while duty manager Andy Thompson won the rising star award at the same ceremony.
Last year the hotel also secured a Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence.
