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.

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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 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 supplied, alongside a drip coffee maker.

Living Room 1:
If cooking isn't your idea of fun, you may be more drawn to the elegantly 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, enormous 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 handsome 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, sizable 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.

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 for getting the perfect Southport vacation property experience:

Cost saving strategies:

• In the Southport area, The sooner you can book a rental home, the better your selection will be. The most desirable vacation rentals are reserved very early. Booking your vacation rental up to 12 months before your vacation dates is recommended. Holiday gatherings are excellent times to plan and book your rental home.
• Summer is high season in Wilmington. To get the best value, shift your group's vacation to the Spring or Fall months. May, September, and even October offer great weather, fewer crowds, and greatly reduced traffic. Many vacationers use this method to reserve larger homes, or to book a beach front rental that would otherwise be unaffordable during the Summer months.
• Veterans and Active Duty Military members may be qualified for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective property manager if your vacationing group qualifies for a special promotion or discount.
• Booking websites often offer their guests an option to add trip insurance protection. Trip insurance, which costs between 1% - 5% of the base stay price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for missed time as a result of medical-related emergencies or weather, as well as hurricane evacuation costs or charges, such as an unanticipated hotel overnight or additional gasoline expenses. Trip insurance can be a a bank account-saver if the unforeseen happens. Ask your host for additional information.
• Many rental management companies supply Southport area visitors guide magazines which include money-saving deals, either offered directly by local companies, or by way of a relationship with the rental management company and the business itself. You can also find Southport visitors guide magazine and coupon books at local gas stations and shopping centers.

Planning, picking, and booking the rightrental home:

• Start by selecting your the best vacation week and a maximum budget.
• Determine how many bedrooms and the bed configuration your group requires. The Cove - Houseboat Serenity has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
• Precise descriptions of bedrooms and bed counts & types is usually available on booking websites. If they are not listed, contact the property owner before you book the vacation home. Note that most properties list the max. guest capacity, which frequently includes sofa beds and bunks.
• If your family is vacationing with pets, you'll need to search for a property that allows animals. Request details on breed, size, and type requirements. Some property managers charge pet deposits and fees.
• Is your family looking for special amenities? Most websites include search filters for amenities. Amenity filters help you quickly remove less-optimal properties.
• Suitable accessibility amenities can make or break a vacation for guests that require the use of a wheelchair. Confirm all required amenities are available and included before reserving a rental.

Additional considerations:

• Review arrival and departure procedures before traveling. Take a printed copy, and add a note with the directions to your smartphone.
• Ask questions. You may need instructions for a garage door opener, elevator or thermostat. Contact your host. They are there to help! A brief call prevents quite a few concerns.
• Lock your vacation home while you're out. Protect your property!
• To make certain that damages are not attributed to your visit, make a record of any problem areas upon check in. E-mail the rental manager right away to record any pre-existing damages. If there is a dispute about legal responsibility later, having a record of issues and contact attempts will be helpful.
• Respecting late-night quiet hours and parking regulations can make a stay more pleasurable. You'll increase your chance to make some new local friends, and resident neighbors are a great resource to find the best local scenic spots.
• Don't forget to... Ask a local! Residents can frequently help you find the best spots in town. Who better to ask where to rent beach equipment, have a great night out, or the best spots for fishing?
• Re-check the property to make sure that you've packed all of your family's items on check-out day. Check dressers, closets, and bathrooms for hidden items. Remove everything from the refrigerator and take or dispose of leftovers.
• Go through the rental one final time and scan for damages to contents or the property itself. We advise walking through with the property manager whenever you can (often this isn't possible). If the manager is not available, ensure that you take video of the rental to record its condition at check-out.
• After your trip, leave feedback! Property owners rely on excellent ratings to compel more reservations. They'll be grateful for your review. Alternatively, if something wasn't as described, other vacationers will appreciate that you share your review 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 reasonably to remedy it.