Wanderlust at The Cove - Luxury Houseboat - Downtown Wilmington - Vacation rental home in Wilmington, NC

About this Property

• Sleeps 4
• 2 Bedrooms
• 2 Bathrooms
• House boat

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)

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 gorgeously 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, 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 elegant 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 appreciate. 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.

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

Located in Downtown Wilmington, a neighborhood in Wilmington, this houseboat is near theme parks and on the waterfront. Wilmington Railroad Museum and Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Children's Museum of Wilmington and Carolina Heights. Cape Fear Museum and Greenfield Lake Park and Gardens are also worth visiting. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Special Instructions

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

Pet Policy

Pets not allowed

How to find the best rental experience:

Getting the best value:

• Book your vacation rental as soon as possible. Rental schedules usually open 12 months in advance (or in September just after Summer ends). Many groups reserve their Summer rentals during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Eve gatherings. Book before these holidays for best selection.
• Summer is the most expensive season along the coast of NC. To find the best rental home within budget, we strongly suggest reserving in the Spring or Fall. You'll benefit from lower rental rates, greater selection, gorgeous weather and the absence of giant crowds at popular Cape Fear area attractions and restaurants. Many vacationers use this method to reserve larger homes, or to book a beach front rental that would otherwise be unavailable during June, July, and August. 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, Christmas, and New Years are great times to gather with friends and family at your favorite beach.
• Active Duty and veterans of the US Armed forces may qualify for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective property manager or host whether your group qualifies for a reduced rate.
• Booking websites typically offer renters an option to add vacation insurance protection. Trip insurance, which usually will cost between 1% - 5% of the base booking price, offers visitors reimbursement of costs for missed trip time as a result of personal medical-related catastrophes or weather disasters, as well as evacuation costs, such as an unexpected hotel or extra gas expenses. Trip insurance is definitely a life-saver if the unforeseen happens. Ask your property manager for details.
• Often, property management companies supply Cape Fear area area visitor guide magazines which often include money-saving deals, either offered independently by local companies, or through a partnership between the rental management company and the business itself. You can also find Cape Fear area visitors guide magazine and coupon books at local shops and grocery stores.

Selecting and booking the bestrental home:

• Select a designated group leader, select your dates, and select a spending budget.
• Decide how many bedrooms and the configuration your group requires. Wanderlust at The Cove - Luxury Houseboat - Downtown Wilmington has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
• Specific descriptions of bedrooms and bed sizes & counts is generally available on booking pages. If you don't see them listed, email the property manager before booking the vacation home. Note that most listings specify the max. guest capacity, which usually includes pull-out couches and bunk beds.
• If your family is traveling with pets, you'll need to search for a pet-friendly vacation rental. Make sure to ask for information on breed, weight, and type restrictions. Often, property owners charge additional pet fees.
• Are you visiting for a specific attraction? If so, use a map search to find nearby properties.
• Proper accessibility can make or break a vacation for the less-mobile. Confirm all required amenities are included before reserving a rental.

Know before you go:

• Get the host's contact number and entry/exit procedures for your rental home. Store the host's information in your smartphone.
• Property managers are there to help! Don't be shy to ask any questions during your stay.
• Ensure you protect the rental owner (and your stuff!) by locking the rental when you are out, just like you would back home.
• Make a record of any damages to the property at check in, and immediately e-mail them to the owner. We specifically recommend texts and e-mails, as they usually contain built-in time stamps that are beneficial if damages are attributed to your stay.
• Be respectful. Often times, nearby homes are occupied by permanent residents. Respecting quiet hours and parking rules can make a stay significantly more pleasurable.
• Speaking of neighbors... Ask a local! Neighbors can often help. Who better to ask where to order delicious takeout, have a great night out, or the best spots for BBQ?
• At departure, take a walk-through to confirm you didn't forget any personal items. Re-check closets, dressers, garages, and bathrooms for hidden items. Remove everything from 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.
• After your trip, leave feedback! Property managers rely on excellent feedback to propel more bookings. They'll be thankful for your review. Alternatively, if something wasn't right, other vacationing families will will be grateful for your experience find their best vacation home. Remember to be objective. If something fell short of expectations, consider whether the property manager could control the issue, and if so, whether they responded quickly to solve it.