Hotel International is made up of two charming, connected, traditional-style terraced buildings with a trendy white and black exterior and a painting of a boat on the side of the building. Travelers check in at Cafe International, the hotel’s youthful and traditional pub. The pub's walls are adorned with nautical-themed pieces such as ship replicas and glass art featuring ships, along with flags from around the world. A set of perilously steep stairs leads up to the eight rooms. Most guests are young travelers seeking a budget-friendly alternative to a hostel near the Red Light District.

Located on Warmoesstraat -- one of the oldest streets in Amsterdam -- the hotel is set on the corner of one end of the world-famous Red Light District. For those interested in exploring historical aspects of the city, Royal Palace Amsterdam is a nine-minute walk, Amsterdam Museum takes 14 minutes to reach on foot, and canal cruises depart from a boat launch just a four-minute walk away. Amsterdam Central Station is a six-minute walk away and connects directly to Schiphol Amsterdam Airport (comparably a 20-minute car ride away).

The hotel's eight rooms have a cheery green-and-white color scheme, with an extra splash of color in the form of maroon curtains or navy chairs. Most rooms also have exposed brick walls, while those on the top floor have slanted ceilings with exposed wooden beams. Rooms are sparse, but they do have flat-screen TVs, small closets, and desks. Guests have made complaints about street noises (which even reaches top floors), as well as bothersome noise from other rooms, and Hotel International provides earplugs. Standard Rooms can include up to four beds, and have sinks, mirrors, and shared bathrooms. The Double Ensuite and DeLuxe Rooms have their own private bathrooms, and DeLuxe Rooms also have small seating areas with two sofa chairs. Ensuite Room bathrooms are small and have walk-in showers, while DeLuxe Room bathrooms are much more spacious and have whirlpool tubs. Toiletries are not provided (except for basic bar soap).

Cafe International -- the on-site pub (and de facto “lobby”) -- was built in 1928 to cater to the city’s sailors. It has a central bar, a fireplace, a TV, and wooden tables with chairs, and serves drinks to hotel guests and locals well into the evening. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.