Saltwater at The Cove - 5 min. walk to Downtown Wilmington - Vacation rental home in Wilmington, NC

About this Property

• Sleeps 4
• 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 roomy 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.

@thecove_wilmington (IG/FB/TT)

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 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 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 enormous living space with a 55" 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 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.

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 delightful villas, boasting thoughtfully designed angled slips, beautiful 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 on the waterfront, this houseboat is in Downtown Wilmington, a neighborhood in Wilmington. Brooklyn Arts Center at St. Andrews and City Stage Theatre are local landmarks, and travelers looking to shop may want to visit The Cotton Exchange and Mayfaire Town Center. Wilmington Railroad Museum and Children's Museum of Wilmington 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

Vacation rental booking tips:

Get the best value:

• Booking in the Fall or Spring shoulder seasons is one of our best tips for saving money on your vacation home. Rental rates are lower, and you'll find a larger selection of suitable homes. Speaking of the off-season, don't overlook the holidays for a Cape Fear area vacation! Who wouldn't love a holiday vacation near the ocean? Thanksgiving and Christmas are great times to gather with family and friends at your favorite beach.
• Reserve your vacation rental as early as possible. Rental schedules generally open 12 months in advance (or in September just after the Summer season ends). Many families book their Summer rental homes during Thanksgiving and Christmas get-togethers. Reserve before these holidays for best selection.
• Veterans and Active Duty Military members may be qualified for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective property owner whether your group qualifies for a special rate.
• Property managers frequently offer customers an option to obtain trip insurance. Trip insurance, which will generally cost between 1% - 5% of the base booking price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for any missed vacation time as a result of personal medical-related catastrophes or weather disasters, as well as ensuing additional evacuation charges, such as an unanticipated hotel or additional gasoline expenses. Trip insurance is definitely a bank account-saver if the unforeseen occurs. Ask your property manager for additional information.
• Find a copy of your local Cape Fear area area magazine when you check-in. If your rental property doesn't have a copy, you can find them at local shops and visitor centers. In addition to great information, travel guides have discounts for nearby accommodations and attractions.

Make a plan and choose the rightrental:

• To start, have your family choose dates and a spending budget.
• Decide how many beds and what type of bedroom configuration your family requires. Saltwater at The Cove - 5 min. walk to Downtown Wilmington has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
• Specific information regarding bedrooms and bed types is commonly accessible online. Otherwise, contact the property management company before you reserve the rental. Remember that most properties list the maximum guest capacity, which often includes sofa beds in living rooms.
• Are you looking for special amenities? Most rental websites include search filters for amenities. Amenity filters help you quickly remove less-optimal properties.
• Suitable accessibility amenities can make or ruin a vacation for guests with disabilities. Make certain to inquire about wheel chair entry, pool lifts and specialized equipment needs.
• If your family is bringing pets, you'll need to find a property that allows animals. Make sure to ask for details on breed, weight, and type requirements. Some property owners require additional pet deposits and fees.

Know before you go:

• Store the host's information in your smartphone.
• Document any damages to the property upon arrival, and immediately send them to the property manager. We specifically recommend e-mails and text messages, as they usually contain time stamps that can be very helpful if there is a dispute.
• Hosts are available to help! Feel free to ask questions before, during, or after your stay.
• Respecting quiet hours and parking regulations can make a stay more pleasurable. You'll increase your chance to make some new local friends, and resident neighbors can be an excellent source for finding the best local attractions.
• Speaking of neighbors... Ask a local! Neighbors can typically help you find the best spots in town. 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 and about. Protect the owner's property and your things!
• Double-check every room of the rental property to make sure that you've packed all belongings at departure. Make sure to check bathrooms, garages, and back yards for hidden treasure. 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 you have a terrific stay? Most rental home management companies make it easy for travelers to provide reviews. If your property and/or host was fantastic, they will likely appreciate your kind words. If anything was inoperable and they failed to correct it in a reasonable manner, or if the vacation rental wasn't described correctly, you'll want to make a note as part of your review.