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

About this Property

• Sleeps 4
• 2 Bedrooms
• 2 Bathrooms
• House boat
• Approximately 1102 square feet

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 relaxing 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 roomy 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 supplied, alongside a drip coffee maker.

Living Room 1:
If cooking isn't your idea of fun, you may be more drawn to the handsomely 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 sizable living space with cozy furnishings, a 60" Intelligent TV, and a impressive 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, 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 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!

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 on the waterfront, this houseboat is in Downtown Wilmington, 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. 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. With jet skiing, kayaking, and water tubing 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 to get the perfect Southport vacation rental experience:

When to go & When to book:

• In the Southport area, The earlier your group can book a rental home, the better your selection will be. The most desirable rental homes are reserved very early. Booking your rental 6-12 months before your vacation is recommended. Winter holidays are excellent times to search for and reserve your rental home.
• June, July, and August are the most expensive months in Wilmington. Booking your vacation home in the Spring or Fall is a good way to save on your vacation rental. Rates are lower, and you'll find a better selection of acceptable homes. 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 the Summer months.
• Owners sometimes offer discounts for veterans and active duty military. Make sure to check with your property manager to see if special offers are available for your group.
• Property management companies typically offer guests an option to buy trip insurance protection. Trip insurance, which commonly will cost between 1% - 5% of the base booking price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for missed vacation time as a result of medical-related emergencies or weather, as well as ensuing additional hurricane evacuation costs or charges, such as an unexpected hotel or extra gas expenses. Trip insurance might be a a life-saver if the unforeseen occurs. Ask the property owner for more information.
• Look for your local Southport visitors guide magazine when you check-in. If your rental property doesn't have one, you can find them at local shops and visitor centers. In addition to great information, visitor guide magazines have coupons for local accommodations, tours and attractions.

How to choose the perfect rental home in Wilmington:

• Select a group lead, select your dates, and choose a max budget.
• Determine how many beds and the bed configuration your family requires. The Cove - Houseboat Bliss has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
• Specific descriptions of bedrooms and bed types is often available on booking websites. If you don't see them listed, call the property management company before you reserve your home. Remember that most property listings specify the max. guest capacity, which typically includes sofa beds in living rooms. You will need to work out which bed configuration is best for your trip.
• Some rental properties allow pets, and some don't. Acceptable types of dog or cat, weight and breeds may be restricted, and added fees may apply. Ask the owner about allowable breeds and types before booking.
• Are you visiting for a specific event or attraction? Use a map search to browse nearby rentals.
• Appropriate accessibility can make or ruin a vacation for those with limited mobility. Confirm all necessary amenities are included before reserving a rental.

Additional considerations:

• Be sure you get the property manager's phone number and arrival/departure procedures for your rental. Store the host's information in your smartphone and wallet.
• Property managers are there to help! Don't be shy to ask questions before, during, or after your stay.
• Protect the owner (and your things!) by locking and securing the home while you are gone, just like you would back home.
• Record any issues with the rental upon arrival, and immediately send them to the host. We specifically recommend texts and e-mails, as they usually contain time stamps that are valuable if damages are assessed.
• Respecting quiet hours and parking policies can make a stay more pleasurable. Be a good neighbor. You will increase your chance to make some new local friends, and resident neighbors are usually a great resource to find the best local beaches and hangouts.
• Don't forget to... Ask a local! Locals can frequently help. Who better to ask where to find the best bike paths, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for shopping?
• Re-check every room of the property to confirm that you've packed all personal items at check-out. Re-check bathrooms, dressers, and closets for hidden items. Remove everything from the refrigerator and take any leftovers home.
• Inspect the rental a final time and look for any damage. We advise walking through with the property manager whenever possible. If the property manager isn't available, ensure that you take video and pictures of the rental to record its condition at check-out.
• After your trip, leave feedback! Property owners rely on good feedback to propel new reservations. They'll be much obliged for your feedback. Alternatively, if something went wrong, other vacationing families will appreciate that you share your review and help them have the best future vacation. Remember to be objective. If something fell short of expectations, consider whether the property manager had any control over the issue, and if so, whether they responded expeditiously to fix it.