Malibu at The Cove - Riverwalk Villas in Downtown Wilmington - Vacation rental home in Wilmington, NC

About this Property

• Sleeps 6
• 2 Bedrooms
• 2 Bathrooms
• House boat

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 gorgeously 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 enormous living space with a 55" 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 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 beautiful 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 delightful 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.

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 Wilmington, this houseboat is in the city center and on the waterfront. Wilmington Railroad Museum and Children's Museum of Wilmington are local attractions and those in the mood for shopping can visit The Cotton Exchange and Mayfaire Town Center. Carolina Heights and Cape Fear Museum are also worth visiting. With water skiing, water tubing, and windsurfing 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 to get the best Wilmington rental home experience:

Sticking to your budget:

• To get the best value, shift your vacation dates to the Spring or Fall months. May, September, and even October offer warm weather, less crowded beaches, and greatly reduced traffic.
• Book your vacation home as soon as possible. Rental schedules generally become available a year in advance (or in September just after the Summer season ends). Many groups book their Summer rentals during Christmas and Thanksgiving gatherings. Book before these holidays for best selection.
• Some hosts and property managers offer rate reductions for veterans and active duty military. Check with your host or property manager to see if rate reductions are available for your family.
• Property management companies frequently offer renters an option to obtain vacation insurance. Trip insurance, which usually will cost you anywhere between 1% - 5% of the stay price, offers visitors reimbursement of costs for missed vacation time as a result of medical-related emergencies or weather disasters, as well as ensuing additional hurricane evacuation charges, such as an unexpected hotel stay or extra gasoline expenses. Trip insurance might be a a bank account-saver if the unforeseen happens. Ask your host for specifics.
• 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 grocery stores and visitor centers. In addition to great local stories, visitor guide magazines contain coupons for local accommodations and attractions.

Use filters to narrow your search:

• Select a group leader, choose your trip dates, and select a spending budget.
• Note the number bedrooms and the bed configuration you need. Malibu at The Cove - Riverwalk Villas in Downtown Wilmington has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
• Specific information about bedrooms and bed counts is generally available on booking websites. Otherwise, email or call the property manager before booking your home. Remember that most listings specify the max. guest capacity, which often includes pull out couches in living rooms. You will need to determine what configuration is right for your trip.
• Are you looking for particular amenities? Most rental websites include search filters with amenity lists. Use these to your advantage to find the perfect rental home.
• Suitable accessibility can make or break a vacation for guests with disabilities. .
• If your family is bringing pets, search for a pet-friendly vacation rental. Request details on breed, weight, and type restrictions. Some hosts require additional pet deposits and fees.

Advice for a wonderful stay:

• Be sure you get the host's phone number and entry/exit procedures for your rental.
• To make sure that no damages are linked to your family's visit, make a record of any problem areas during check in. E-mail the property manager immediately to relay any pre-existing damages. If there is a dispute, having the recorded issues and contact attempts will be useful.
• Ask questions. You may want instructions for a fireplace, television set or WIFI setup. Contact your owner. They are there to help! A brief phone call prevents quite a few problems.
• Don't forget to respect your neighbors. Often, nearby homes are filled by permanent residents. Respecting late-night noise limits and parking rules can make a stay significantly more pleasurable.
• Speaking of neighbors... Ask a local resident! Neighbors can usually point you in the right direction. Who better to ask where to get the best seafood, have a great night out, or the best spots for crabbing?
• Protect the owner (and your things!) by locking the rental while you are gone, just like you would back home.
• Double-check every room of the vacation property to confirm that you've packed all belongings at check-out. Make sure to check garages, decks, and cabinets for hidden items. Clean out the refrigerator and take any leftovers home.
• Walk through the property one final time and look for any damage. We recommend walking through with the host whenever you can. If the host is not available, take pictures of the rental to record its condition at check-out.
• Leave feedback! Hosts rely on good feedback to inspire future reservations. They'll be much obliged for your review. Alternatively, if something wasn't right, other families will will be grateful for your review find their best vacation home. Be fair with your review. If something fell short of expectations, consider whether the manager could control the issue, and if so, whether they responded reasonably to remedy it.