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

About this Property

• Sleeps 6
• 2 Bedrooms
• 2 Bathrooms
• House boat
• Approximately 1200 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 calming 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/FB/TT)

The space:

After parking in our complimentary lot and making the 5 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 included, 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 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, sizable 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 (Couch bed):
As you make your way upstairs, you'll discover another huge living space with a sectional couch (with pull out sleeper), 60" Intelligent TV, desk and chair, 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 enormous 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.

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

Downtown Wilmington, a neighborhood in Wilmington, is home to this houseboat. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach, while Live Oak Bank Pavilion and Wilmington Railroad Museum are cultural highlights. Children's Museum of Wilmington and Carolina Heights are also worth visiting.

Special Instructions

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

Pet Policy

Pets not allowed

Tips and Tricks for getting the perfect Cape Fear area rental home experience:

Find your perfect vacation home:

• The earlier your group can book a vacation home, the better your selection will be. The most desirable rental homes are booked early. Reserving your vacation rental six - twelve months before your vacation is recommended. Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Years Eve are excellent times to search for and reserve your rental home.
• Summertime is high season in the Cape Fear area area. Booking your Cape Fear area vacation home in the Spring or Fall is an excellent way to save on your rental home. Rental rates are lower, and you'll find a larger selection of suitable homes. Many vacationers use this strategy to find larger homes within budget, or to reserve a beach front rental that would otherwise be unaffordable during the high season. 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? Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Years Eve are great times to gather with friends and family at your favorite beach.
• Veterans and Active Duty Military members may be qualified for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective property manager whether your family qualifies for a special rate.
• Management companies and individual rental owners usually offer renters an option to purchase vacation insurance. Trip insurance, which will generally cost 1% - 5% of the stay price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for missed days as a result of personal medical-related catastrophes or weather disasters, as well as hurricane evacuation costs, such as an unexpected hotel stay or additional gas expenses. Trip insurance might be a a welcome relief if the unforeseen happens. Ask your host for additional information.
• Many property management companies and vacation rental houses supply Cape Fear area area visitors guides which will include special deals, either offered directly by local businesses, or by way of a relationship between the property management company and the business itself. You can also find Cape Fear area visitors guide magazine and coupon books at local gas stations and shopping centers.

Narrow your Search:

• Choose dates and max budget.
• Note the number beds and the configuration your group needs. The Cove - Houseboat Serenity has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. If you need a larger or smaller rental, use our Cape Fear area rentals search.
• Precise information about bedrooms and bed types is often available on booking websites. If they are not listed, email or call the property manager before you book the rental. Remember that most property listings specify the max. guest capacity, which oftentimes includes sofa beds in living rooms.
• Are you bringing the family pet? Although a number of vacation homes allow pets or animals, guidelines and costs vary per property. Allowable pet type, breed, and size are often limited. Ask your host before booking, and study your agreement thoroughly! Additional fees or charges could be applied to your invoice.
• Visiting for a specific attraction or event? Try a map search to browse nearby rentals.
• Suitable accessibility amenities can make or ruin a vacation for those with limited mobility. Make certain to inquire about wheel chair entry, pool lifts and specialized equipment needs.

Tips for your stay:

• Add the property manager's contact info to your smartphone. Take a copy of arrival/departure procedures.
• Ask questions. You may want instructions for a fireplace, elevator or kitchen appliance. Contact your owner. They are there to help! A brief telephone call prevents a lot of difficulties.
• Protect the rental owner (and your stuff!) by locking the property while you are away, just like you would back home.
• To make certain damages aren't attributed to your family's stay, record any problem areas upon check in. message the host right away to report any issues. If there is a dispute about who is responsible, having the recorded issues and contact attempts will be useful.
• Respecting late-night quiet hours and parking regulations can make a stay more pleasurable. Be a good neighbor. You'll magnify your chance to make local friends, and resident neighbors can be an excellent source for finding the best local restaurants, beaches, and hangouts.
• Don't forget to... Ask a local resident! Local residents can usually point you in the right direction. Who better to ask where to get the best seafood, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for fine dining?
• Don't leave anything behind! Before you drive away, walk through the rental to reconfirm you've collected everything. Re-check garages, decks, and cabinets for hidden belongings. Clean the refrigerator and take or dispose of leftovers.
• Document the condition of the property at check-out. We recommend taking a video during your final walk-through.
• Remember to leave feedback! Property owners rely on great feedback to compel new reservations. They'll be much obliged for your review. Alternatively, if something went awry, other families will appreciate that you share your experience and help them have the best future vacation. Please be objective. If something fell short of expectations, consider whether the owner had any control over the issue, and if so, whether they responded expeditiously to solve it.