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 relaxing 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 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 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 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:
As you make your way upstairs, you'll discover another huge 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 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 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 Wilmington Historic District, 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

Wilmington vacation rental tips and tricks:

Sticking to your rental budget:

• To find the best value, shift your group's trip dates to the Spring or Fall months. May, September, and even October offer great temperatures, fewer crowds, and reduced traffic. Speaking of the off-season, don't overlook the holidays for a Southport vacation! Who wouldn't love a holiday vacation on the coast? Thanksgiving and Christmas are great times to gather with family and friends at your favorite beach.
• Book your vacation home as soon as possible. Rental schedules often open 12 months in advance (or in September just after Summer ends). Many families reserve their Summer vacations during Christmas and Thanksgiving gatherings. Book before these holidays for best selection.
• Active Duty and veterans of the US Armed forces may be qualified for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective property manager or host whether your vacationing group qualifies for a special promotion or discount.
• Property management companies often offer renters an option to add vacation insurance. Trip insurance, which normally costs 1% - 5% of the base booking price, offers visitors reimbursement of costs for missed days as a result of medical-related issues or weather, as well as ensuing additional evacuation charges, such as an unexpected hotel or extra gasoline expenses. Trip insurance can be a a welcome relief if the unforeseen happens. Ask the property owner for more information.
• Often, property management companies and vacation rental houses supply Southport area visitor guides which often include money-saving offers, either offered directly by local companies, or through a relationship with the property management company and the business itself. You can also find Southport visitors guide magazine and coupon books at local gas stations and shopping centers.

Make a plan and pick a perfectrental home:

• Select a group lead, choose your trip dates, and choose a maximum budget.
• Determine how many bedrooms and the bed configuration your family requires. Wanderlust at The Cove - Luxury Houseboat - Downtown Wilmington has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. If you need a larger or smaller rental, use our search.
• Precise information about bedrooms and bed counts is commonly available on booking pages. If they are not listed, email or call the property owner before booking the rental. Remember that most properties list the max. guest capacity, which frequently includes sofa beds. You will need to work out what bed configuration is suitable for your family.
• Are you visiting for a single event or attraction? If so, use a map search to find nearby properties.
• Suitable accessibility can make or break a vacation for persons with a disability. Confirm all required amenities are included before booking.
• Some properties allow pets, but some do not. Allowable types of pet, weight and breeds may be restricted, and added fees may apply. Ask the owner about allowable pet guidelines before booking.

Know before you go:

• Add the property manager's phone number to your phone. Take a copy of check in/check out procedures.
• Upon check-in, record any damages to the rental property and immediately alert the property manager. Keep records of all coorespondence.
• Hosts are there to help! Don't be shy to ask any questions before, during, or after your stay.
• Be respectful. Often times, surrounding homes are occupied by local residents. Respecting late-night noise limits and parking rules is the right thing to do.
• Speaking of neighbors... Ask a local resident! Neighbors can usually help. Who better to ask where to order the best nachos, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for fishing?
• Lock your rental home while you're away. Protect the owner's property and your stuff!
• Don't leave anything behind! Before you drive away, walk through the rental property to confirm you've collected all belongings. Check closets, dressers, garages, and bathrooms for hidden belongings. Clean out the refrigerator and take or dispose of leftovers.
• Record a video to document the condition of the property.
• After your trip, leave feedback! Property managers rely on great reviews to stimulate more bookings. They'll be thankful for your review. Alternatively, if something went awry, other families will will be grateful for your experience find their best vacation rental. 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 reasonably to solve it.