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 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 delightfully 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:
As you make your way upstairs, you'll discover another huge living space with cozy furnishings, a 60" Intelligent TV, and a striking 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.

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

How to book the best Cape Fear area vacation property experience:

When to book a Cape Fear area rental home & When to go:

• In the Cape Fear area area, The sooner you can reserve a vacation rental, the better your selection will be. The most desirable rental homes are booked early. Reserving your vacation rental six to twelve months before your travel dates is recommended. Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Years Eve are excellent times to search for and reserve your vacation rental.
• June, July, and August are the most expensive months in Wilmington. Booking your Cape Fear area vacation home in Spring or Fall is our favorite way to save money on your vacation home. Rates are lower, and you'll find a better selection of acceptable properties. Many vacationers use this strategy to reserve larger homes, or to book an oceanfront rental that would otherwise be unaffordable during the Summer months.
• Veterans and Active Duty Military members may qualify for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective property manager or host whether your vacationing group qualifies for a special rate.
• Property management companies typically offer guests an option to add vacation insurance. Trip insurance, which usually will cost you 1% - 5% of the booking price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for any days missed as a result of medical-related emergencies or weather disasters, as well as ensuing additional evacuation costs or charges, such as an unexpected hotel overnight or additional fuel expenses. Trip insurance is definitely a life-saver if the unforeseen happens. Ask the property owner for additional information.
• Find a copy of your local Cape Fear area visitors guide magazine when you check-in. If your rental doesn't have one, you can find them at local shops and visitor centers. In addition to great articles, travel guide magazines contain discounts for nearby attractions, tours, restaurants, and shops.

Finding the best rental home:

• Select your dates and max budget.
• Decide how many bedrooms and what type of bedroom configuration you need. The Cove - Houseboat Bliss has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. If you need a larger or smaller rental, use our rental home search.
• Precise descriptions of bedrooms and bed counts is almost always available on booking websites. If you don't see them listed, email or call the host before reserving your rental. Note that most listings specify the maximum guest capacity, which typically includes sofa beds. You will need to establish what configuration is optimal for your vacation family.
• Some rentals allow pets, and some do not. Allowable types of pet, weight and breeds may be restricted, and added fees may apply. Ask the owner about your furry family members before booking.
• Does your family require specific amenities? Most rental websites include search filters with amenity lists. Filtering by amenity will allow you to quickly find the perfect rental home.
• Proper accessibility amenities can make or break a vacation for persons with a disability. Confirm all required amenities are available before booking

More tips for your visit:

• Put the host's contact information in your smartphone and wallet.
• Hosts are available to help! Don't be shy to ask any questions before, during, or after your stay.
• Protect the property owner (and your things!) by locking and securing the home when you are away, just like you would at home.
• Note any issues with the rental upon arrival, and immediately send them to the property manager. We especially recommend texts and e-mails, as they usually contain built-in time stamps that can be very helpful if damages are attributed to your stay.
• Be a good neighbor. Often, surrounding homes are filled by permanent residents. Respecting quiet hours and parking regulations can make a stay significantly more pleasurable.
• Speaking of neighbors... Ask a local resident! Neighbors can frequently help. Who better to ask where to book the best tours, have a great night out, or the best spots for BBQ?
• Double-check the property to make sure that you've packed all of your belongings on check-out day. Remember to check closets, dressers, garages, and bathrooms for hidden belongings. Clean the refrigerator and take any leftovers home.
• Document the condition of the property at check-out. We recommend taking a video during your final walk-through.
• Did your family have a fantastic vacation? Most rental websites make it easy for clients to provide feedback. If your rental property and/or host was great, they would love to hear it. If anything was defective and they failed to fix it within reason, or if the vacation rental wasn't as described, you'll want to make it a point as part of your comments.