Wanderlust at The Cove - Luxury Houseboat - Downtown Wilmington - Vacation rental home in Wilmington, NC

About this Property

• Sleeps 4
• 2 Bedrooms
• 2 Bathrooms
• House boat

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)

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 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 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 included 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 sizable living space with a 55" Intelligent TV 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, 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 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

Located in Downtown Wilmington, a neighborhood in Wilmington, this houseboat is near theme parks and on the waterfront. Wilmington Railroad Museum and Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Children's Museum of Wilmington and Carolina Heights. Cape Fear Museum and Greenfield Lake Park and Gardens are also worth visiting. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Special Instructions

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

Pet Policy

Pets not allowed

Strategies to get the perfect Southport vacation rental experience:

Sticking to a rental budget:

• Reserve your rental as early as possible. Rental schedules often open twelve months in advance (or in September just after Summer ends). Many families reserve their Summer vacations during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Eve get-togethers. Reserve before these holidays for best selection.
• To book the largest rental home for your budget, we highly recommend reserving in the Spring or Fall. You'll benefit from lower rates, greater selection, beautiful weather and the absence of giant crowds at popular attractions and restaurants. Many vacationers use this method to reserve larger homes, or to reserve a beach front vacation rental that would otherwise be unaffordable during the Summer months.
• Active Duty and veterans of the US Armed forces may be qualified for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective property management company or host whether your vacationing group qualifies for a price reduction or discount.
• Property management companies frequently offer renters an option to obtain trip insurance. Trip insurance, which normally costs between 1% - 5% of the base booking price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for missed trip time as a result of medical-related issues or weather disasters, as well as ensuing additional 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 property manager for specifics.
• Find a copy of 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 information, visitors guides contain money saving offers on nearby restaurants, attractions, and tours.

How to select the best rental home in the Southport area:

• Select vacation dates and spending budget.
• Determine how many bedrooms and the bed configuration your group requires. Wanderlust at The Cove - Luxury Houseboat - Downtown Wilmington has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
• Precise information about bedrooms and bed counts & types is regularly available online. If they are not listed, email the host before you book the vacation home. Note that most listings specify the max. guest capacity, which typically includes sofa beds and bunks. You will need to determine what configuration is suitable for your trip.
• Some rentals allow pets, and some don't. Acceptable types of family pet, size and breeds may be restricted, and added charges may apply. Ask your host about allowable pet guidelines before booking.
• If there's a particular Southport beach you simply love, search for homes that are either close by, or those that cater to your needs.
• Proper accessibility amenities can make or ruin a vacation for persons with disabilities. .

More considerations:

• Put the manager's contact information in your smartphone.
• Ask questions. You may need instructions for a garage door opener, intercom or thermostat. Contact your host. They are there to help! A brief telephone call can prevent a lot of difficulties.
• Lock your rental property while you're away! Don't let crooks ruin your holiday.
• To ensure that damages are not attributed to your family's visit, inspect for any problem areas when you arrive. Contact the property manager immediately to document your findings. If there is a dispute about legal responsibility later, having a record of concerns and contact attempts will be valuable.
• Be a good neighbor! You wouldn't like loud visitors bothering your quiet neighborhood. Use the golden rule for common sense. Happy residents may even recommend great local food and scenic spots you would've not otherwise known about!
• Speaking of neighbors... Ask a local resident! Local residents can frequently help you find the best spots in town. Who better to ask where to book the best tours, have a great night out, or the best spots for shopping?
• At departure, complete a walk-through to make sure you have not forget anything. Check bathrooms, garages, and back yards for hidden belongings. Remove everything from the refrigerator and take or dispose of leftovers.
• Please make sure to walk through the property one final time and look for any damage. We recommend inspecting the property with the host whenever you can (often this isn't possible). If the property manager is not available, ensure that you take video and pictures of the rental to record its condition at check-out.
• Did your group have a wonderful stay? Most rental websites make it easy for guests to provide comments. If your rental property and/or property management company was great, they always love to hear your praise. If anything was wrong and they failed to correct it in a reasonable manner, or if the vacation rental wasn't as described, you'll want to make it a point as part of your review.