Malibu at The Cove - Riverwalk Villas in Downtown Wilmington - Vacation rental home in Wilmington, NC

About this Property

• Sleeps 6
• 2 Bedrooms
• 2 Bathrooms
• House boat

Welcome to The Cove, the only luxury dockside rental community of its kind.

Floating atop the Cape Fear River in Historic Downtown Wilmington, our cavernous villas blur the lines between home and boat, offering an unparalleled fusion of comfort and adventure.

Whether you seek a peaceful hideaway or a crowd pleasing option for a group trip, our houseboats provide the ideal backdrop for making memorable memories.

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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 elegantly 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 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 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 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!

Neighborhood Description:

The Cove is located in Port City Marina (PCM), a top-tier, gated, full-service marina offering over 200 cutting-edge floating concrete wet slips. Located on the impressive Cape Fear River, PCM is a haven for both transient boaters and our esteemed residents enjoying the luxury of our permanent floating villas.

Our state-of-the-art dock hosts all 40 of our charming villas, boasting thoughtfully designed angled slips, photogenic landscaping, and a welcoming community space at the dock's end.

PCM's prime location on the along the award-winning Riverwalk grants boaters and villa guests unparalleled access to the vibrant Downtown Wilmington scene. Indulge in the city's rich cultural offerings, savor delectable dining experiences, and immerse yourself in the vibrant arts and entertainment scene, all just steps away from our marina.

Getting Around:

Free parking is supplied for one car per villa. Our parking lot is located about 1,000 feet (4 min walk) from the Marina, so we recommend packing in suitcases with wheels, bringing a foldable cart if you have one. We often get unexpected rain showers on the coast, so we also recommend packing an umbrella or rain jacket.

If you will have more than one car, we recommend grabbing a spot in the Wilmington Convention Center parking garage located right next-door. Daily prices in the garage depend on season/events.

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 in Wilmington, this houseboat is in the city center and on the waterfront. Wilmington Railroad Museum and Children's Museum of Wilmington are local attractions and those in the mood for shopping can visit The Cotton Exchange and Mayfaire Town Center. Carolina Heights and Cape Fear Museum are also worth visiting. With water skiing, water tubing, and windsurfing 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

Getting the best Cape Fear area rental home experience:

When to visit Wilmington & When to reserve a Wilmington rental home:

• Booking a rental in Fall or Spring is our favorite way to save money on your rental home. Rental rates are lower, and you'll find a larger selection of desirable homes.
• Reserve your vacation rental as soon as possible. Rental schedules often become available a year in advance (or in September just after Summertime ends). Many families book their Summer rental homes during Thanksgiving and Christmas get-togethers. Reserve before these holidays for best selection.
• Some property management companies offer discounts for active duty military and veterans. Ask your property manager if special discounts are available for your family.
• Management companies and individual rental owners often offer renters an option to buy trip insurance. Trip insurance, which costs between 1% - 5% of the reservation price, offers visitors reimbursement of costs for missed time as a result of personal medical-related issues or weather disasters, as well as hurricane evacuation costs or charges, such as an unanticipated hotel stay or extra fuel expenses. Trip insurance might be a a welcome relief if the unforeseen occurs. Ask your host for more information.
• Find a copy of your local Cape Fear area visitors guide magazine when you arrive at the rental property. If your rental doesn't have a copy, you can find them at local shops and fuel stations. In addition to great articles, visitors guides have offers and deals for local restaurants, attractions, and tours.

Narrow your Search:

• First and foremost, have your family decide on a vacation week and a budget.
• Note the number beds and the configuration your group requires. Malibu at The Cove - Riverwalk Villas in Downtown Wilmington has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. If you need a larger or smaller rental, use our Cape Fear area rental home search.
• Precise information about bedrooms and bed types is generally available on booking websites. Otherwise, email the property manager before reserving the rental. Note that most properties list the maximum guest capacity, which oftentimes includes sofa beds in living rooms. You will need to work out what configuration is suitable for your vacation group.
• If there's a specific Cape Fear area beach you crave, look for properties that are either nearby, or those that cater to your needs.
• Proper accessibility can make or ruin a vacation for persons with disabilities. Confirm all required amenities are available and included before booking
• Some properties allow pets, but others don't. Acceptable types of dog or cat, weight and breeds may be restricted, and added charges may apply. Ask the property management company about pet restrictions before booking.

During your stay:

• Be sure you get the host's contact number and check in/check out procedures for your rental property. Store the manager's information in your smartphone and wallet.
• Note any issues with the property during check in, and immediately contact the host. We specifically recommend texts and e-mails, as they usually contain time stamps that can be beneficial if a dispute is filed.
• Ask questions. You may want instructions for a hot tub, elevator or coffee maker. Contact your host. They are there to help! A brief call prevents quite a few problems.
• Be a good neighbor! You wouldn't like disrespectful visitors bothering your life at home. Use the golden rule for common sense. Happy residents may even recommend great restaurants and attractions you would have never otherwise known about!
• Don't forget to... Ask a local resident! Locals can frequently point you in the right direction. Who better to ask where to see a beautiful sunrise or sunset, have a great night out, or the best spots for BBQ?
• Lock your rental home while you're out. Protect your property!
• On check-out day, complete a walk-through to make sure you didn't forget any personal items. Check dressers, closets, and bathrooms for hidden items. Clean out the refrigerator and take any leftovers home.
• Walk through the property a final time and keep an eye out for damage. We advise inspecting the property with the property manager whenever possible. If the property manager is not available, remember to take photographs of the rental to record its condition.
• Did your family have a wonderful stay? Many rental home management companies make it easy for customers to provide reviews. If your rental property and/or property management company was terrific, they would love to hear it. If anything was imperfect and they failed to address it reasonably, or if the vacation rental wasn't as described, you'll want to make a note as part of your review.