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 calming 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 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 attractively 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 sizable living space with a sectional couch (with pull out sleeper), 60" Intelligent TV, desk and chair, and a gorgeous 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, 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.

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

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 and Tricks for getting the perfect Southport rental home experience:

Money saving strategies:

• Summer months are the most expensive season along the coast of NC. Booking your Southport vacation rental in Spring or Fall is our favorite way to save money on your rental home. Rates are lower, and you'll find a larger selection of desirable homes.
• Book your vacation home as soon as possible. Rental schedules usually open twelve months in advance (or in September just after Summer ends). Many groups reserve their Summer rental homes during Winter holiday gatherings. Reserve before these holidays for best selection.
• Active Duty and veterans of the US Armed forces may qualify for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective property manager whether your group qualifies for a reduced rate.
• Property management companies frequently offer their guests an option to buy vacation insurance protection. Trip insurance, which commonly will cost you anywhere between 1% - 5% of the reservation price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for days missed as a result of medical-related catastrophes or weather disasters, as well as evacuation costs, such as an unexpected hotel overnight or additional gas expenses. Trip insurance can be a a welcome relief if the unforeseen occurs. Ask the property owner for more information.
• Look for your local Southport area magazine when you arrive at the rental property. If your rental property doesn't have one, you can find them at local grocery stores, shopping centers, and visitor centers. In addition to great articles, travel guide magazines have discounts for local tours and attractions.

Planning, selecting, and booking the rightvacation home:

• First, have your family agree to date ranges and a spending budget.
• Determine how many beds and the configuration your family requires. The Cove - Houseboat Serenity has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. If you need a larger or smaller rental, use our Southport vacation rental search.
• Specific information regarding bedrooms and bed counts & types is regularly available on booking pages. If not, contact the host before you book the vacation home. Remember that most listings specify maximum guest capacity, which frequently includes sofa beds. You will need to establish what configuration is suitable for your group.
• Is your family looking for special amenities? Most rental websites include search filters with amenity lists. Amenity filters help you quickly remove less-optimal properties.
• Appropriate accessibility can make or ruin a vacation for those with limited mobility. Confirm all necessary amenities are included before reserving a rental.
• 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. Make sure to ask before booking, and study your agreement! Additional pet fees or charges could be applied to your agreement.

More tips for your stay:

• Take a copy of the host's phone number and check in/check out procedures for your rental home. Put the manager's information in your smartphone and wallet.
• During check-in, make note of any damages to the property and immediately contact the property manager. Record all correspondence just in case a dispute arises.
• Ask questions. You may need instructions for a garage door opener, elevator or appliance. Contact your property manager. They are there to help! A brief telephone call prevents lots of concerns.
• Respecting late-night quiet hours and parking regulations can make a stay more pleasurable. You will increase your chance to make local friends, and resident neighbors are often an excellent resource to find the best local scenic spots.
• Speaking of neighbors... Ask a local resident! Residents can often point you in the right direction. Who better to ask where to order delicious takeout, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for bird watching?
• Protect the property owner (and your things!) by locking and securing the home while you are out, just like you would at home.
• At departure, take a final walk-through to confirm you didn't forget any personal items. Make sure to check garages, decks, and cabinets for hidden belongings. Clean the refrigerator and take or dispose of leftovers.
• Record a video to document the condition of the property.
• Did you have a excellent vacation? Many rental managers make it easy for vacationers to provide reviews. If your rental and/or property management company was fantastic, they will likely appreciate your kind words. If anything was wrong and they failed to address it reasonably, or if the vacation rental wasn't as described, you'll want to make it a point as part of your comments.