The Cove - Houseboat Tranquility - 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, 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.

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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 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, sizable 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 huge living space with cozy furnishings (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 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 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.

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 adore to have you Stay Afloat!

About the Area

Located on the waterfront, this houseboat is in Wilmington Historic District, a neighborhood in Wilmington. Wrightsville Beach and Halyburton Park reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Wilmington Railroad Museum and Children's Museum of Wilmington. 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.

Special Instructions

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

Pet Policy

Pets not allowed

Our top Wilmington vacation rental tips:

How to get the best rental home value:

• Reserve your vacation rental as soon as possible. Rental schedules generally open a year in advance (or in September just after the Summer season ends). Many groups book their Summer vacations during Christmas and Thanksgiving gatherings. Book before these holidays for best selection.
• June, July, and August are the most expensive months in Wilmington. To find the largest rental for your budget, we recommend booking in Fall or Spring months. You'll enjoy lower rental rates, greater selection, beautiful weather and the absence of giant crowds at the beach and popular attractions.
• Some hosts and property managers offer discounts or promotional rates for veterans. Check with your property manager to see if rate reductions are available for your family.
• Property management companies often offer guests an option to purchase trip insurance. Trip insurance, which commonly costs anywhere between 1% - 5% of the booking price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for missed trip time as a result of medical-related issues or weather, as well as ensuing additional hurricane evacuation charges, such as an unanticipated hotel overnight or extra gas expenses. Trip insurance is definitely a bank account-saver if the unforeseen happens. Ask the property owner for program terms and fees.
• Look for your local Southport area magazine upon checking in. If your rental home doesn't have one, you can find them at local shops and fuel stations. In addition to great local information, visitor guide magazines contain offers and deals for local accommodations and attractions.

Planning, selecting, and booking your Southport rental:

• Choose vacation week and max budget.
• Decide how many bedrooms and the configuration your family needs. The Cove - Houseboat Tranquility has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
• Specific information about bedrooms and bed counts & types is normally available on booking websites. If you don't see them listed, call the property management company before you reserve the vacation property. Remember that most property listings specify maximum guest capacity, which typically includes pull-out couches.
• Are you traveling with furry, four-legged family members? 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. Ask your property manager before booking, and study your rental agreement! Additional pet fees or costs may be applied to your agreement.
• Visiting for a specific event? Use a map search to find nearby rentals.
• Suitable accessibility amenities can make or ruin a vacation for those with limited mobility. Confirm all necessary amenities are available before booking.

Considerations for your stay:

• Store the host's contact information in your smartphone and wallet.
• Ask questions. You may want instructions for a garage door opener, A/V setup or washer/dryer. Contact your host. They are there to help! A brief call prevents quite a few issues.
• Lock your rental while you're out and about. Protect your property!
• Upon arrival, record any damages to the property and immediately contact the host. Record all correspondence just in case a dispute arises.
• Respecting quiet hours and parking regulations can make a stay significantly more pleasurable. Be a good neighbor. You'll enhance your chance to make some new local friends, and resident neighbors can be a terrific source for finding the best local beaches and hangouts.
• Don't forget to... Ask a local resident! Neighbors can frequently help. Who better to ask where to charter a fishing boat, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for bird watching?
• Double-check the property to confirm that you've packed all of your family's items on check-out day. Check bathrooms, garages, and back yards for hidden treasure. Clean out the refrigerator and take any leftovers home.
• Go through the property a final time and look for damage. We advise inspecting the property with the property manager whenever you can. If the manager is not available, take video and pictures of the rental to record its condition at check-out.
• Leave a review! Property managers rely on good feedback to drive new reservations. They'll be thankful for your feedback. Alternatively, if something wasn't right, other vacationing families will will be grateful for your review find their best rental home. Please be objective. If something fell short of expectations, consider whether the owner could control the issue, and if so, whether they responded reasonably to remedy it.