The Cove - Houseboat Bliss - Vacation rental home in Wilmington, NC

About this Property

• Sleeps 4
• 2 Bedrooms
• 2 Bathrooms
• House boat
• Approximately 1102 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.

The space

After parking in our complimentary lot 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 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 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 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, 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:
As you make your way upstairs, you'll discover another sizable living space with cozy furnishings, a 60" Intelligent TV, 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 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 adore to rent you a slip! Please reach out to them directly to coordinate that for the dates 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!

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.

About the Area

Located on the waterfront, this houseboat is in Downtown Wilmington, a neighborhood in Wilmington. Live Oak Bank Pavilion and Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Children's Museum of Wilmington and Magnolia Greens Golf Plantation. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Legion Stadium or Trask Coliseum. With jet skiing, kayaking, and water tubing nearby, you'll find plenty of adventures in the water.

Special Instructions

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

Pet Policy

Pets not allowed

Vacation rental home tips:

How to get the best rental value:

• June, July, and August are the most expensive months along the coast of NC. To find the best value, change your vacation to the Spring or Fall shoulder seasons. May, September, and even October offer warmer weather, fewer crowds, and greatly reduced traffic. Many vacationers use this strategy to reserve larger homes, or to book an oceanfront vacation rental that would otherwise be unavailable or unaffordable during the Summer months. Speaking of the off-season, don't overlook Winter holidays for a Cape Fear area vacation! Who wouldn't love a holiday on the coast? Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years are great times to gather with friends and family at the beach.
• In the Cape Fear area area, The earlier you can book, the easier your search will be. The best rental homes are booked very early. Booking your rental 6-12 months before your vacation is recommended. Holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving are excellent times to search for and reserve your vacation home.
• Hosts sometimes offer rate reductions for active duty military and veterans. It's always a good idea to check with your property manager to see if special offers are available for your family before you book.
• Property managers usually offer renters an option to buy vacation insurance protection. Trip insurance, which costs 1% - 5% of the booking price, offers visitors reimbursement of costs for missed time as a result of medical-related issues or weather, as well as evacuation charges, such as an unanticipated hotel stay or extra gas expenses. Trip insurance is definitely a welcome relief if the unforeseen occurs. Ask the property owner for program terms and fees.
• Find a copy of your local Cape Fear area area magazine upon arrival. If your rental property doesn't have one, you can find them at local shops and fuel stations. In addition to great local stories, visitors guides contain money saving offers on nearby accommodations and attractions.

Choosing and booking a perfect Cape Fear area vacation home:

• Start by selecting your a vacation week and a budget.
• Decide how many beds and the bed configuration your family requires. The Cove - Houseboat Bliss has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
• Precise descriptions of bedrooms and bed counts & types is generally accessible on booking websites. If you don't see them listed, contact the property manager before reserving the rental. Remember that most property listings specify the max. guest capacity, which frequently includes sofa beds and bunks.
• Is your family looking for particular amenities? Most websites include amenity lists and search filters. Use these to your advantage to find the perfect rental home.
• Suitable accessibility amenities can make or break a vacation for those with limited mobility. Make certain to inquire about specialized equipment and wheel chair accessibility.
• Some properties allow pets, but some do not. Acceptable types of dog or cat, size and breeds may be restricted, and added costs may apply. Ask the host about pet restrictions before booking.

Tips for a smooth stay:

• Add the owner's contact info to your smartphone. Understand and take a copy of check in/check out procedures.
• Note any issues with the rental at check in, and immediately contact the owner. We especially recommend e-mails and text messages, as they usually contain built-in time stamps that can be beneficial if a dispute arises.
• Hosts are there to help! Don't be shy to ask any questions during your stay.
• Be a good neighbor! You wouldn't like loud vacationers disrupting your peaceful home. Employ the golden rule for best judgement. Happy residents may even recommend great local food and attractions you would have never otherwise known about!
• Don't forget to... Ask a local! Locals can often point you in the right direction. Who better to ask where to spend a rainy day, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for crabbing?
• Ensure you protect the owner (and your things!) by keeping the rental locked up when you are out, just like you would at home.
• Re-check every room of the property to make sure that you've packed all personal items at check-out. Make sure to check bathrooms, garages, and back yards for hidden treasure. Remove everything from the refrigerator and take any leftovers home.
• Record a video to document the condition of the property.
• Leave a review! Hosts rely on good feedback to stimulate future reservations. They'll be thankful for your feedback. Alternatively, if something wasn't as described, other vacationers will will be grateful for your experience find their best vacation rental. Please be objective. If something fell short of expectations, consider whether the property manager had any control over the issue, and if so, whether they responded expeditiously to fix it.