The Cove - Houseboat Oasis - Vacation rental home in Wilmington, NC

About this Property

• Sleeps 6
• 2 Bedrooms
• 2 Bathrooms
• Private vacation home

Welcome to The Cove, Wilmington's most unique vacation rental community.

Floating atop the Cape Fear River, our Riverwalk Villa community offers an experience unlike any you've had before.

From the gentle rocking of the river, to the peaceful view of the sunset, your stay at The Cove is sure to leave you feeling refreshed, restored, and wanting to return again soon.

The space

After parking in our complimentary lot and making the 4 min. walk down onto the docks of the Port City Marina, you’ll arrive at The Cove, Riverwalk Villas. Secured with dock ties and connected to electricity and water, you'll quickly realize that a stay at our dockside community offers the ideal mix of adventure, luxury and relaxation.

Upon entering your villa, you’ll notice the cavernous open concept kitchen/dining/living area and think to yourself, "I should have brought more friends!" (Don't worry, there's always next time.)

Cooking & Eating:
With a dining table that seats four, three benches along the island, and a kitchen supplied with everything you need to make a great meal, you could actually host your next Thanksgiving here. Complementary coffee, creamer and sugar are included, alongside a drip coffee maker.

Living Room 1:
If cooking isn't your idea of fun, you may be more drawn to the attractively decorated downstairs living space, where you can relax on the comfortable couch surrounded by tall windows that overlook the Marina.

Bathroom 1:
Just past the common area is the first floor bathroom, which features a walk-in shower and full size washer and dryer. Complementary shampoo, conditioner and body wash are supplied in each of the bathrooms, as well as laundry pods, dryer sheets, hair dryer and a steamer.

Bedroom 1 (Queen):
Connected by a pocket door is the downstairs bedroom with a Queen bed, huge closet, ceiling fan, 40" Intelligent TV, and access door to the cozy back patio; a great spot for some peaceful reading or alone time.

Living Room 2 (Couch bed):
As you make your way upstairs, you'll discover another enormous living space with a sectional couch (with pull out sleeper), 60" Intelligent TV, and a charming view of the Cape Fear River through the sliding glass doors.

Upstairs Patio:
Just outside those doors, you'll find yourself on a huge patio featuring an outdoor bar (sink & mini refrigerator), and a variety of cozy furnishings options. This patio is a fan favorite for everything from morning coffee, afternoon reading, evening spirits, or appreciating a meal. In the Summer months, you'll often hear live music coming from Marina Grille, our delicious on-site restaurant, or Live Oak Bank Pavilion Amphitheater, which is only a block away.

Bedroom 2 (King):
Back inside and beyond the living room is the second floor bedroom, featuring a King bed, dresser, sizable closet, ceiling fan & 55" Intelligent TV.

Bathroom 2:
The pocket door connects you from the bedroom to the second floor full bath.

Location:

The Cove is located in Port City Marina, which sits on the North end of the Riverwalk in Downtown Wilmington. Just a few steps from the Wilmington Convention Center and one block from both The Wilson Center, and Live Nation's Live Oak Bank Pavilion Amphitheater, a stay at The Cove offers the ideal solution for those wanting to avoid the chaos of parking, event traffic, and needing a DD.

Less than a mile away you'll find the heart of Historic Downtown Wilmington. Whether you choose to stroll along the Riverwalk, take the complimentary trolley, or drive a few blocks down Water Street, getting there is painless. With many local stores, eateries, breweries, live music, and events, Downtown offers something for everybody to appreciate. Check out our Guidebook or "Wilmington and Beaches" online for recommendations and events.

Beyond the borders of Downtown, a fast 8 min. drive or Uber ride will get you to the Wilmington International Airport (ILM), and within a 10 mile radius you'll find Wrightsville Beach, Jungle Rapids amusement/water park, UNCW (Go Seahawks!) and much more.

If you're interested in bringing your boat, our friends at Port City Marina would appreciate to rent you a slip! Please reach out to them directly to coordinate that for the dates of your stay.

If this Villa is not available during your preferred time frame, please check out the listings for our other Riverwalk Villas at The Cove, and don't hesitate to reach out for assistance. We would adore to have you Stay Afloat!

About the Area

Located on the waterfront, this vacation home is in Wilmington Historic District, a neighborhood in Wilmington. Battleship North Carolina and Live Oak Bank Pavilion are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Children's Museum of Wilmington and Magnolia Greens Golf Plantation. Wilmington Railroad Museum and Carolina Heights are also worth visiting. With kayaking, motor boating, and sailing nearby, you'll find plenty of adventures in the water.

Special Instructions

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Pet Policy

Pets not allowed

Tips and Tricks for getting the perfect Wilmington vacation rental experience:

Finding the best value:

• Booking in Fall or Spring months is our best tip for saving money on your rental home. Rental rates are lower, and you'll find a better selection of suitable properties. Speaking of the off-season, don't overlook the holidays for a Southport vacation! Who wouldn't love a holiday vacation on the coast? Thanksgiving and Christmas are great times to gather with friends and family at the beach.
• Reserve your vacation rental as soon as possible. Rental schedules usually open a year in advance (or in September just after the Summer season ends). Many groups reserve their Summer rentals during Thanksgiving and Christmas get-togethers. Book before these holidays for best selection.
• Active Duty and veterans of the US Armed forces may qualify for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective property management company or host whether your vacationing group qualifies for a discount.
• Property management companies usually offer guests an option to buy vacation insurance protection. Trip insurance, which will generally cost anywhere between 1% - 5% of the base reservation price, offers visitors reimbursement of costs for missed trip time as a result of personal medical-related catastrophes or weather disasters, as well as evacuation costs or charges, such as an unanticipated hotel overnight or extra gasoline expenses. Trip insurance can be a a life-saver if the unforeseen occurs. Ask your host for specifics.
• Often, rental management companies and vacation rental houses supply Southport area travel guides which often include money-saving deals, either offered directly by local companies, or through a relationship between the management company and the business itself. You can also find Southport area magazine and coupon books at local shops and grocery stores.

How to pick the perfect vacation home:

• Choose a group leader, choose your vacation week, and choose a budget.
• Determine how many bedrooms and what type of bedroom configuration your group needs. The Cove - Houseboat Oasis has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
• Precise information about bedrooms and bed counts is normally accessible online. If you don't see them listed, call the property owner before reserving the vacation home. Remember that most property listings specify maximum guest capacity, which usually includes pull-out couches. You will need to work out what is optimal for your vacation.
• If there's an individual Southport beach you crave, keep an eye out for homes that are either nearby, or those that cater to your needs.
• Proper accessibility can make or ruin a vacation for persons with disabilities. Confirm all required amenities are available before booking
• If your family is bringing pets, you must book a property that allows animals. Make sure to ask for details on breed, weight, and type restrictions. Be aware that some hosts charge pet deposits and fees.

Tips for a smooth stay:

• Be sure you get the property manager's contact number and entry/exit procedures for your rental home.
• During arrival, make note of any damages to the property and immediately alert the property manager. Keep records of all coorespondence.
• Hosts are great sources of help! Don't be shy to ask questions before, during, or after your stay.
• Respecting quiet hours and parking policies can make a stay more pleasurable. You will enhance your chance to make some new local friends, and resident neighbors can be a fantastic source for finding the best local attractions.
• Don't forget to... Ask a local! Residents can often help you find the best spots in town. Who better to ask where to grab the best tacos, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for crabbing?
• Protect the owner (and your stuff!) by locking and securing the home while you are away, just like you would at home.
• Don't leave anything behind! Just before you drive away, walk through the rental to make sure you've collected all belongings. Make sure to check bathrooms, dressers, and closets for hidden items. Clean the refrigerator and take any leftovers home.
• Go through the property one final time and look for damages to contents or the property itself. We suggest inspecting the property with the property manager whenever you can (often this isn't possible). If the host isn't available, remember to take pictures of the property to record its condition at check-out.
• Did your group have a wonderful stay? Most rental home management companies make it easy for clients to provide comments. If your rental and/or host was wonderful, they would love to hear about it. If anything was wrong and they failed to fix it reasonably, or if the vacation rental wasn't as described, you'll want to make a note as part of your feedback.