The Cove - Houseboat Serenity - 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 peaceful view of the sunset, your stay at The Cove is sure to leave you feeling refreshed, restored, and wanting to return again soon.

@thecove_wilmington (IG/FB/TT)

The space:

After parking in our complimentary lot and making the 5 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 (Couch bed):
As you make your way upstairs, you'll discover another huge living space with a sectional couch (with pull out sleeper), 60" Intelligent TV, desk and chair, 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, 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 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

Downtown Wilmington, a neighborhood in Wilmington, is home to this houseboat. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach, while Live Oak Bank Pavilion and Wilmington Railroad Museum are cultural highlights. Children's Museum of Wilmington and Carolina Heights are also worth visiting.

Special Instructions

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

Pet Policy

Pets not allowed

Tips to get the best Southport rental home experience:

Get the most from your vacation rental budget:

• In the Southport area, The sooner you can book, the better your selection will be. The best vacation homes are booked very early. Booking your vacation property six - twelve months before your vacation dates is recommended. Holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving are excellent times to search for and book your rental home.
• Summer months are high season in Wilmington. Booking a rental in Fall or Spring is our best tip for saving money on your vacation rental. Rates are lower, and you'll find a better selection of desirable homes.
• Property managers sometimes offer promotional rates for veterans. Ask your property manager if special discounts are available for your group.
• Booking websites frequently offer guests an option to obtain trip insurance protection. Trip insurance, which usually costs 1% - 5% of the stay price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for missed trip time as a result of personal medical-related emergencies or weather disasters, as well as hurricane evacuation costs or charges, such as an unexpected hotel stay or additional gasoline expenses. Trip insurance might be a a bank account-saver if the unforeseen occurs. Ask your host for program terms and fees.
• Look for your local visitors guide 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 stories, visitors guides have deals for local accommodations, restaurants and tours.

Finding the best vacation rental in the Southport area:

• Select a group lead, choose your trip dates, and select a max budget.
• Determine how many bedrooms and what type of bedroom configuration your group requires. The Cove - Houseboat Serenity has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. If you need a larger or smaller rental, use our vacation rental search.
• Specific descriptions of bedrooms and bed counts is almost always available online. Otherwise, contact the host before you reserve the vacation home. Remember that most property listings specify maximum guest capacity, which often includes sofa beds and bunks. You'll need to work out what is right for your vacation.
• Some properties allow pets, and some do not. Acceptable types of pet, size and breeds may be restricted, and added costs may apply. Ask the property manager about your furry family members before booking.
• If there's a particular Southport beach you are enamored with, browse rentals that are either close by, or those that cater especially to your needs.
• Proper accessibility can make or break a vacation for those with limited mobility. .

More tips for your visit:

• Store the host's information in your smartphone.
• Ask questions. You may want instructions for a hot tub, A/V setup or WIFI setup. Contact your property manager. They are there to help! A brief phone call prevents a lot of issues.
• Keep the property locked while you're out! Don't let burglars spoil your trip.
• To ensure that no damages are linked to your family's visit, record any problem areas upon your arrival. Speak to the rental manager immediately to record any pre-existing damages. If there is a dispute, having the recorded problems and contact attempts will be valuable.
• Be a good neighbor. Frequently, nearby homes are filled by permanent residents. Respecting late-night quiet hours and parking policies can make a stay significantly more pleasurable.
• Speaking of neighbors... Ask a local resident! Neighbors can frequently point you in the right direction. Who better to ask where to enjoy a steak with a view, have a great night out, or the best spots for bird watching?
• Don't leave anything behind! Before you drive away, walk through the property to make sure you've collected all personal belongings. Re-check garages, decks, and cabinets for hidden treasure. Remove everything from the refrigerator and take any leftovers home.
• Inspect the rental a final time and keep an eye out for any damage. We advise inspecting the property with the host whenever you can. If the property manager isn't available, remember to take pictures of the rental to record its condition.
• Leave a review! Property owners rely on excellent ratings to drive future bookings. They'll be much obliged for your review. Alternatively, if something wasn't right, other vacationers will be thankful you shared your feedback and help them have the best future vacation. Please be fair with your feedback If something fell short of expectations, consider whether the host had any control over the issue, and if so, whether they responded quickly to solve it.