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 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 outfitted 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 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 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 sizable living space with a 55" Intelligent TV and a charming 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 painless. 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 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

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

Tips and Tricks to get the best rental home experience:

Money saving strategies:

• Summer is the most expensive season in the Cape Fear area area. Book your vacation home in Fall or Spring to get the benefit of warm weather while saving money and avoiding crowds. Many vacationers use this strategy to reserve larger homes, or to reserve an oceanfront vacation rental that would otherwise be unavailable during the Summer months. Speaking of the off-season, don't overlook the holidays for a Cape Fear area vacation! Who wouldn't love a holiday near the ocean? Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years are great times to gather with family and friends at your favorite beach.
• Book your vacation home as soon as possible. Rental schedules generally open 12 months in advance (or in September just after the Summer season ends). Many families reserve their Summer vacations during Christmas and Thanksgiving gatherings. Reserve before these holidays for best selection.
• Veterans and Active Duty Military members may qualify for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective vacation rental company or host whether your family qualifies for a discount.
• Property management companies frequently offer guests an option to add trip insurance. Trip insurance, which will generally cost 1% - 5% of the booking price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for any days missed as a result of personal medical-related catastrophes or weather, as well as ensuing additional hurricane evacuation costs, such as an unanticipated hotel overnight or additional gas expenses. Trip insurance can be a a welcome relief if the unforeseen occurs. Ask the property owner for additional information.
• Look for your local visitors guide when you arrive at the rental property. If your rental doesn't have a copy, you can find them at local shops and visitor centers. In addition to great information, visitor guides have coupons for local restaurants, attractions, and tours.

Use filters to narrow your rental search:

• To start, have your group decide on trip dates and a spending budget.
• Determine how many beds and what type of bedroom configuration your family needs. Wanderlust at The Cove - Luxury Houseboat - Downtown Wilmington has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. If you need a larger or smaller rental, use our search.
• Specific descriptions of bedrooms and bed sizes & counts is often accessible on booking websites. If not, reach out to the property management company before you reserve your rental. Note that most listings specify the maximum guest capacity, which typically includes pull-out couches and bunk beds. You will need to establish what is right for your group.
• Is your family looking for particular amenities? Most websites include search filters for amenities. Filtering by amenity will allow you to quickly find your ideal rental home.
• Suitable accessibility amenities can make or break a vacation for persons with a disability. Make certain to inquire about wheel chair entry, pool lifts and specialized equipment needs.
• If your group is traveling with pets, you'll need to search for a pet-friendly rental. Get specifics on breed, size, and type requirements. Note that some hosts charge additional pet fees.

Considerations for your stay:

• Get the owner's phone number and check in/check out procedures for your rental. We recommend storing the manager's contact information in your smartphone and wallet.
• To ensure that no damages are linked to your family's visit, inspect the rental for any problem areas during check in. E-mail the host right away to relay any damages. If there is a dispute about who is responsible, having the recorded issues and contact attempts will be valuable.
• Hosts are available to help! Don't be shy to ask any questions before, during, or after your stay.
• Be a good neighbor! You wouldn't like loud visitors bothering your home life. Practice the golden rule for common sense. Happy residents may even recommend great beaches and places you would have not otherwise known about!
• Don't forget to... Ask a local resident! Neighbors can often help you find the best spots in town. Who better to ask where to find the fresh catch of the day, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for fine dining?
• Keep the property locked while you're gone! Don't let burglars ruin your holiday.
• Don't leave anything behind! Before departing, take a walk through the rental property to reconfirm you've collected all of your things. Check bathrooms, garages, and back yards for hidden belongings. Clean out the refrigerator and take any leftovers home.
• Inspect the property a final time and look for any damage. We advise walking through with the property manager whenever you can. If the manager isn't available, take video and pictures of the rental to record its condition.
• Did your group have a fantastic vacation? Many rental home management companies make it easy for customers to provide comments. If your rental property and/or property manager was fantastic, they would love to hear it. If anything was inoperable and they failed to address it in a reasonable manner, or if the vacation rental wasn't described correctly, you'll want to make it a point as part of your comments.