Haven - Pet Friendly Houseboat, Downtown Wilmington - Vacation rental home in Wilmington, NC

About this Property

• Sleeps 6
• 2 Bedrooms
• 2 Bathrooms
• House boat
• Approximately 1200 square feet

Welcome to The Cove, the only luxury dockside rental community of its kind.
Floating atop the Cape Fear River in Historic Downtown Wilmington, our roomy villas blur the lines between home and boat, offering an unparalleled fusion of comfort and adventure.
Whether you seek a peaceful hideaway or a crowd pleasing option for a group trip, our houseboats provide the ideal backdrop for making memorable memories.
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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 included, 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 handsome view of the Cape Fear River through the sliding glass doors.

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

Neighborhood Description:
The Cove is located in Port City Marina (PCM), a top-tier, gated, full-service marina offering over 200 cutting-edge floating concrete wet slips. Located on the impressive Cape Fear River, PCM is a haven for both transient boaters and our esteemed residents enjoying the luxury of our permanent floating villas.

Our state-of-the-art dock hosts all 40 of our charming villas, boasting thoughtfully designed angled slips, photogenic landscaping, and a welcoming community space at the dock's end.
PCM's prime location on the along the award-winning Riverwalk grants boaters and villa guests unparalleled access to the vibrant Downtown Wilmington scene. Indulge in the city's rich cultural offerings, savor delectable dining experiences, and immerse yourself in the vibrant arts and entertainment scene, all just steps away from our marina.

Getting Around:
Free parking is supplied for one car per villa. Our parking lot is located about 1,000 feet (4 min walk) from the Marina, so we recommend packing in suitcases with wheels, bringing a foldable cart if you have one. We often get unexpected rain showers on the coast, so we also recommend packing an umbrella or rain jacket.
If you will have more than one car, we recommend grabbing a spot in the Wilmington Convention Center parking garage located right next-door. Daily prices in the garage depend on season/events.

Safety:
Nearby lake/river
Our villas are securely tied to a floating dock, which does not have railings. There are railings on the front and upstairs patio/balconies, and kids should be supervised at all times while in the marina. Swimming is not allowed in the Cape Fear River due to the dangerous current.

Potential for noise:
Located next-door to Marina Grille & Live Oak Bank Amphitheater, live music can often be heard from our dock and patios. Military planes are also often heard flying overhead during the day. Guests have noted however, that our villas are very well insulated and stay peaceful inside.

Check in method:
Specific directions including getting to the marina, gate & door codes and wifi information will be messaged to you the morning of your stay.

About the Area

Located in Downtown Wilmington, a neighborhood in Wilmington, this houseboat is near theme parks and on the waterfront. Brooklyn Arts Center at St. Andrews and City Stage Theatre are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College or Legion Stadium. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing, kayaking, and snorkeling nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with cycling.

Special Instructions

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

Pet Policy

2 total pets

Strategies to get the perfect Southport rental home experience:

Money saving strategies:

• Summer months are the most expensive season along the coast of NC. To get the best rental home for your budget, we suggest booking in Fall or Spring months. You'll benefit from lower rental rates, better selection, gorgeous weather and the absence of giant crowds at restaurants, beaches, and activities.
• The sooner your group can book a rental home, the better your selection will be. The most desirable rental homes are reserved very early. Booking your vacation home 6-12 months before your travel dates is recommended. Winter holidays are excellent times to plan and book your rental.
• Hosts sometimes offer promotional rates for veterans. Make sure to check with your host or property manager to see if special discounts are available for your group.
• Management companies and individual rental owners frequently offer renters an option to add trip insurance protection. Trip insurance, which normally costs 1% - 5% of the stay price, offers visitors reimbursement of costs for missed time as a result of medical-related emergencies or weather, as well as ensuing additional evacuation costs, such as an unanticipated hotel or additional gas expenses. Trip insurance can be a a bank account-saver if the unforeseen happens. Ask the property owner for more information.
• Often, property management companies and vacation rental houses supply Southport area travel guide magazines which often include money-saving offers, either offered independently by local businesses, or by way of a partnership between the management company and the business itself. You can also find Southport visitors guide and coupon books at local grocery stores, shopping centers, and visitor centers.

How to select the perfect vacation home in the Southport area:

• Choose your vacation week and max budget.
• Decide how many beds and what type of bedroom configuration you need. Haven - Pet Friendly Houseboat, Downtown Wilmington has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. If you need a larger or smaller rental, use our rental home search.
• Precise details about bedrooms and bed counts is commonly available on booking pages. If not, call the host before booking the property. Note that most properties list maximum guest capacity, which typically includes sofa beds in living rooms. You will need to work out what configuration is optimal for your trip.
• If there's a specific Southport destination you crave, keep an eye out for rentals that are either close by, or those that cater to your desires.
• Proper accessibility amenities can make or break a vacation for guests with disabilities. .
• Are you bringing the family pet? Although a number of vacation homes allow pets or animals, guidelines and costs vary per property. Allowable pet type, breed, and size are often limited. Remember to ask your host before booking, and study your rental agreement! Pet fees or charges might be applied to your agreement.

Tips for a fantastic stay:

• Add the host's contact info to your smartphone. Understand and take a copy of arrival/departure procedures.
• Note any damages to the rental during check in, and immediately e-mail them to the host. We specifically recommend texts and e-mails, as they usually contain time stamps that can be valuable if damages are attributed to your stay.
• Ask questions. You may want instructions for a garage door opener, A/V setup or kitchen appliance. Contact your property manager. They are there to help! A brief telephone call can prevent lots of problems.
• Respecting quiet hours and parking policies can make a stay more pleasurable. You'll enhance your chance to make some new local friends, and resident neighbors can be an incredible source for finding the best local beaches and restaurants.
• Speaking of neighbors... Ask a local! Residents can usually point you in the right direction. Who better to ask where to launch your kayaks, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for crabbing?
• Protect the rental owner (and your stuff!) by keeping the rental locked up while you are out, just like you would back home.
• At departure, take a walk-through to confirm you didn't forget anything. Check bathrooms, garages, and back yards for hidden belongings. Clean out the refrigerator and take or dispose of leftovers.
• Record a video to document the condition of the property.
• Remember to leave feedback! Property owners rely on excellent feedback to compel more bookings. They'll be much obliged for your review. Alternatively, if something went awry, other families will appreciate that you share your feedback find their best rental home. Please be objective. If something fell short of expectations, consider whether the host could control the issue, and if so, whether they responded quickly to fix it.