Rhinelander - A Northwoods hotel will undergo some big changes. The Claridge, in downtown Rhinelander, will change franchises next week.

"And this year we have decided to switch from Best Western over to Wyndham Hotel and Days Inn and Suites. And some of the reasons we are doing that for is marketing. We think marketing will be a big advantage for us to move over to the Wyndham Hotels," says Ed Orlikowski, Claridge General Manager.

Some other advantages include all new beds and flat screen T-Vs next year. Not everything will change, even though the sign will. The restaurant is set to keep the same hours along with all of the friendly staff at the hotel.

"With the switch, all thirty-eight employees will still remain on board here. And hopefully, our business will pick up a little bit more so that I can hire additional people," said Orlikowski

Despite now being a Days Inn hotel, the Claridge remains a local institution. The hotel is still locally owned and operated and will keep its name.