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 relaxing 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 charmingly 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 charming 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 adore to have you Stay Afloat!

About the Area

Wilmington Historic District, a neighborhood in Wilmington, is home to this houseboat. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Wrightsville Beach and Halyburton Park, 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 to get the perfect Southport rental experience:

Finding your perfect vacation home:

• June, July, and August are the most expensive months in coastal NC. Booking your vacation home in Fall or Spring is one of our best tips for saving money on your vacation. Rental rates are lower, and you'll find a better selection of desirable homes. Many vacationers use this strategy to find larger homes within budget, or to reserve a beach front rental that would otherwise be unavailable during the high season. Speaking of the off-season, don't overlook Winter holidays for a Southport vacation! Who wouldn't love a holiday on the coast? Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Years Eve are great times to gather with family and friends at the beach.
• Book your vacation rental as early as possible. Rental schedules often become available a year in advance (or in September just after the Summer season ends). Many families reserve their Summer rentals during Winter holiday get-togethers. Reserve before these holidays for best selection.
• Some property management companies offer discounts for veterans and active duty military. Make sure to check with your property manager to see if discounts are available for your group.
• Management companies and individual rental owners typically offer guests an option to obtain vacation insurance protection. Trip insurance, which generally costs anywhere between 1% - 5% of the base reservation price, offers visitors reimbursement of costs for any missed time as a result of medical-related issues or weather, as well as hurricane evacuation charges, such as an unexpected hotel overnight or additional gas expenses. Trip insurance can be a a bank account-saver if the unforeseen happens. Ask the property owner for specifics.
• Often, management companies and vacation rental houses supply Southport area visitor guide magazines which will include coupons, either offered independently by local businesses, or through a relationship between the management company and the business itself. You can also find Southport visitors guide and coupon books at local shops and grocery stores.

Selecting and booking your prefect Southport rental home:

• Start by choosing your potential vacation weeks and a maximum budget.
• Determine how many bedrooms and what type of bedroom configuration your family needs. The Cove - Houseboat Serenity has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. If you need a larger or smaller rental, use our vacation rental search.
• Specific information regarding bedrooms and bed sizes & counts is normally available on booking websites. If they are not listed, contact the property management company before booking the rental. Remember that most property listings specify maximum guest capacity, which typically includes sofa beds.
• If there's a certain Southport destination you are enamored with, keep an eye out for rentals that are either close by, or those that cater to your needs.
• Appropriate accessibility amenities can make or ruin a vacation for guests with disabilities. Confirm all required amenities are included before booking.
• Some rental properties allow pets, and others do not. Acceptable types of family pet, size and breeds may be restricted, and additional charges may apply. Ask the host about your furry family members before booking.

During your stay:

• Review arrival and departure procedures before traveling. Take a printed copy, and add a note with the instructions to your phone.
• At Check-in, note any issues with the property and immediately alert the owner. Keep records of all correspondence in case a dispute arises.
• Ask questions. You may want instructions for a hot tub, stereo or appliance. Contact your property manager. They are there to help! A brief phone call can prevent quite a few issues.
• Respect your neighbors. Often times, nearby homes are occupied by local residents. Respecting quiet hours and parking regulations reduces conflict and allows everyone to enjoy their day.
• Don't forget to... Ask a local! Neighbors can frequently help you find the best spots in town. Who better to ask where to launch your kayaks, have a great night out, or the best spots for crabbing?
• Lock your rental property while you are away! Don't let burglars spoil your vacation.
• Re-check every room of the rental property to confirm that you've packed all of your family's items at departure. Remember to check garages, decks, and cabinets for hidden treasure. Remove everything from the refrigerator and take or dispose of leftovers.
• Walk through the rental one final time and look for damages to contents or the property itself. We recommend walking through with the property manager whenever you can (often this isn't possible). If the property manager is not available, take photographs of the rental to record its condition.
• Remember to leave feedback! Hosts rely on excellent reviews to inspire new bookings. They'll be thankful for your feedback. 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 could control the issue, and if so, whether they responded quickly to fix it.