A Hilton logo now decorates the front entrance of the former Hotel Orrington after the 85-year-old Evanston establishment joined the Hilton franchise Monday.

The hotel, 1710 Orrington Ave., will comply with the standards of the Hilton brand and will take advantage of the chain’s marketing, said General Manager Russ Abell, who has worked at the hotel since 2006. Though it will now be called the Hilton Orrington, it will not change ownership or management.

“Guests who have come to like staying at the Hotel Orrington will see the same friendly faces they have been,” Abell said.

The hotel will participate in a Hilton promotion offering guests a discounted rate until the end of the summer, Abell said. But permanent changes in the rates will depend on the economy, not its status as a Hilton, he said.

In the long term, the hotel will add a few guest service jobs, Abell said. It has also improved some of its facilities, including its fitness room.

The hotel currently has the second-highest rating possible on AAA’s hotel rating scale, Abell said.

“The hotel is a Four Diamond hotel, so our standards are quite high,” he said.

Guests in the hotel lobby Tuesday said they were unaware of the adoption of the Hilton name. Jennifer Molina said although she hadn’t known about it previously, the change made her sad.

“It’s the whole kind of chaining of local industries,” she said. “Plus, I don’t like Paris Hilton.”

But Shel Lawrence, visiting from Sweden, said it didn’t make a difference to him.

“It doesn’t really matter,” he said with a shrug.

– Rebecca Cohen