Wanderlust at The Cove - Luxury Houseboat - Downtown Wilmington - Vacation rental home in Wilmington, NC

About this Property

• Sleeps 4
• 2 Bedrooms
• 2 Bathrooms
• House boat

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.



@thecove_wilmington (IG)

The space

After parking in our complimentary lot (1 spot per villa) 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 outfitted with everything you need to make a great meal, you could actually host your next Thanksgiving here. Complementary coffee, creamer and sugar are supplied, alongside a drip coffee maker.

Living Room 1:
If cooking isn't your idea of fun, you may be more drawn to the charmingly 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:
As you make your way upstairs, you'll discover another huge living space with a 55" Intelligent TV and a beautiful view of the Cape Fear River through the sliding glass doors.

Upstairs Patio:
Just outside those doors, you'll find yourself on a sizable 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, enormous 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 savor. 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 adore 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 appreciate to have you Stay Afloat!

About the Area

This houseboat is located in Downtown Wilmington, a neighborhood in Wilmington, and is near theme parks and on the waterfront. Battleship North Carolina and Wilmington Railroad Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Children's Museum of Wilmington and Carolina Heights. Cape Fear Museum and Greenfield Lake Park and Gardens are also worth visiting. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Special Instructions

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

Pet Policy

Pets not allowed

Strategies to get the optimal vacation rental experience:

Get the best rental value:

• Book your vacation home as early as possible. Rental schedules often become available a year in advance (or in September just after Summer ends). Many families book their Summer rentals during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Eve get-togethers. Reserve before these holidays for best selection.
• Summer time is high season in the Southport area. To find the most suitable vacation home for your budget, we suggest reserving in Fall or Spring. You'll enjoy lower rates, better selection, beautiful weather and the absence of giant crowds at restaurants, beaches, and activities. Many vacationers use this strategy to find larger homes within budget, or to book a beach front vacation rental that would otherwise be unavailable or unaffordable during June, July, and August.
• Veterans and Active Duty Military members may be qualified for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective vacation rental company or host whether your group qualifies for a reduced rate.
• Booking websites usually offer guests an option to add vacation insurance protection. Trip insurance, which will generally cost 1% - 5% of the reservation price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for missed time as a result of personal medical-related emergencies or weather, as well as ensuing additional evacuation charges, such as an unanticipated hotel overnight or extra gasoline expenses. Trip insurance might be a a life-saver if the unforeseen happens. Ask the property owner for specifics.
• Find a copy of your local Southport visitors guide magazine upon checking in. If your rental doesn't have a copy, you can find them at local shops and visitor centers. In addition to great articles, visitors guide magazines contain offers and deals for nearby attractions, tours, restaurants, and shops.

How to choose the perfect rental in Wilmington:

• Select vacation dates and budget.
• Decide how many bedrooms and the bed configuration you need. Wanderlust at The Cove - Luxury Houseboat - Downtown Wilmington has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
• Specific information regarding bedrooms and bed sizes & counts is almost always available on booking websites. Otherwise, email the property manager before you reserve the vacation property. Remember that most listings specify maximum guest capacity, which typically includes sofa beds and bunks.
• Do your family pets travel with you? Many vacation homes allow animals, but guidelines and restrictions apply. Allowable pet type, breed, and size are often limited. Make sure to ask before booking, and study your agreement thoroughly! Additional pet fees or applied to your contract.
• Are you visiting for a specific attraction? Use a map search to find nearby properties.
• Suitable accessibility amenities can make or ruin a vacation for those with limited mobility. .

During your stay:

• Review arrival and departure procedures before leaving home. Save the instructions to your phone, and take a printed copy.
• Ask questions. You may need instructions for a hot tub, elevator or WIFI setup. Contact your host. They are there to help! A brief telephone call can prevent a lot of problems.
• Ensure you protect the owner (and your stuff!) by locking the rental when you are gone, just like you would back home.
• Upon check-in, document any issues with the rental property and immediately contact the property manager. Keep records of all correspondence just in case a dispute arises.
• Be a good neighbor! You wouldn't like unpleasant visitors bothering your home life. Apply the golden rule for common sense. If they like you, locals might even recommend great beaches and places you would've not otherwise known!
• Speaking of neighbors... Ask a local! Residents can usually help you find the best spots in town. Who better to ask where to find the fresh catch of the day, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for bird watching?
• Don't leave anything behind! Just before departing, walk through the rental property to confirm you've collected all of your things. Re-check garages, decks, and cabinets for hidden items. Clean the refrigerator and take any leftovers home.
• Go through the property one final time and look for damage. We suggest walking through with the host whenever you can. If the property manager isn't available, ensure that you take video and pictures of the property to record its condition.
• Leave a review! Property owners rely on great feedback to stimulate more bookings. They'll be grateful for your review. Alternatively, if something went awry, other families will be thankful you shared your feedback find their best vacation rental. Remember to be objective. If something fell short of expectations, consider whether the manager had any control over the issue, and if so, whether they responded quickly to fix it.