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 calming 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 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 (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 pretty 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, huge 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.

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.

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

Located on the waterfront, this vacation home is in Wilmington Historic District, a neighborhood in Wilmington. Live Oak Bank Pavilion and Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College 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

Booking the best Wilmington rental home experience:

Money saving strategies:

• The earlier your group can reserve a home, the better your selection will be. The most desirable vacation rentals are booked very early. Reserving your vacation rental six to twelve months before your travel dates is recommended. Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Years Eve are excellent times to plan and reserve your rental property.
• June, July, and August are the most expensive months in Wilmington. Booking in the Fall or Spring shoulder seasons is our favorite way to save money on your vacation. Rental rates are lower, and you'll find a better selection of desirable properties. Many vacationers use this method to reserve larger homes, or to book a beach front rental that would otherwise be unavailable during the Summer months. Speaking of the off-season, don't overlook Winter 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.
• Active Duty and veterans of the US Armed forces may qualify for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective property manager if your vacationing group qualifies for a price reduction.
• Booking websites often offer guests an option to purchase trip insurance. Trip insurance, which will generally cost between 1% - 5% of the reservation price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for missed trip time as a result of personal medical-related catastrophes or weather disasters, as well as hurricane evacuation costs or charges, such as an unanticipated hotel or additional fuel expenses. Trip insurance is definitely a bank account-saver if the unforeseen happens. Ask the property owner for program terms and fees.
• Often, management companies supply Southport area travel guides which will include money-saving offers, either offered directly by local businesses, or through a relationship with the property management company and the business itself. You can also find visitors guide and coupon books at local shops and grocery stores.

Make a plan and pick your prefectrental home:

• Start by choosing a vacation week and a max budget.
• Note the number beds and what type of bedroom configuration your family needs. The Cove - Houseboat Oasis has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
• Specific descriptions of bedrooms and bed types is generally accessible on booking websites. Otherwise, email the property manager before reserving the vacation home. Note that most properties list maximum guest capacity, which frequently includes pull-out couches and bunk beds.
• If your group is traveling with pets, you must book a pet-friendly vacation rental. Request details on breed, size, and type requirements. Note that some property owners charge additional pet fees.
• Are you visiting for a specific attraction or event? If so, use a map search to locate nearby rentals.
• Suitable accessibility amenities can make or break a vacation for guests that require the use of a wheelchair. .

During your stay:

• Review check in & check out procedures before leaving home. Save the instructions to your smartphone, and take a printed backup.
• Hosts are available to help! Don't be shy to ask any questions before, during, or after your stay.
• Keep your rental home locked while you are gone! Don't let thieves ruin your holiday.
• During check-in, record any issues with the property and immediately contact the property manager. Keep records of all coorespondence.
• Be a good neighbor! You wouldn't like obnoxious visitors bothering your peaceful home life. Apply the golden rule for best judgement. Happy residents may even recommend great local food and attractions you would've never otherwise known about!
• Don't forget to... Ask a local resident! Residents can often point you in the right direction. Who better to ask where to book the best tours, have a great night out, or the best spots for fine dining?
• Double-check the property to confirm that you've packed all belongings at departure. Check garages, decks, and cabinets for hidden items. Clean out the refrigerator and take or dispose of leftovers.
• Record a video to document the condition of the property.
• Did your group have a fantastic stay? Many rental managers make it easy for travelers to provide reviews. If your property and/or property manager was terrific, they will likely appreciate your kind words. If anything was wrong and they failed to fix it reasonably, or if the vacation rental wasn't described correctly, you'll want to make it a point as part of your review.