Adrift at The Cove - Houseboat in Downtown Wilmington, NC - 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 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.

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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 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 charmingly 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.

Service Dogs:
This villa is not pet-friendly, but service animals are welcome. North Carolina does not recognize emotional support animals as service animals for short term units (misrepresenting a pet as a service animal is a misdemeanor).

After booking, please let us know if a service dog will be present so we can supply some additional amenities such as clean up bags & furnishings covers, and notify the team so your dog’s presence will not be questioned.

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 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 photogenic 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, 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.

Safety

Nearby lake/river

Our villas are securely tied to a floating dock, which does not have railings. There are railings on the front and upstairs patio/balconies, and kids should be supervised at all times while in the marina. Swimming is not allowed in the Cape Fear River due to the dangerous current.

Potential for noise

Located next-door to Marina Grille & Live Oak Bank Amphitheater, live music can often be heard from our dock and patios. Military planes are also often heard flying overhead during the day. Guests have noted however, that our villas are very well insulated and stay peaceful inside.

Additional Rules

-No flushing of anything other than natural waste and septic safe toilet paper (included)
-Kids under the age of 12 must be supervised at all times while in the marina
-Absolutely no swimming allowed - the current in the Cape Fear River is strong and dangerous
-No smoking or illicit drugs

Check-In Method

There is a lockbox on the front door that holds a key that you will use to access your villa during your stay. The lockbox code, as well as address, directions, and wifi info will be messaged to you the morning of your stay.


House Manual:

-HVAC remotes must be pointed at the unit on the ceiling when changing temperature/settings. The ceiling unit should beep when you press buttons.

-Breaker boxes/switches can be found in the closet to the left of the front door, as well as on the pedestal on the dock in front of your villa

-Internet is supplied by the Verizon boxes typically located in the upstairs living area. If your internet is not working, please locate the black box, unplug it, and plug it back in. Once the light stops blinking, it should be reconnected to the internet.

Other Details to Note:

Villas are permanently docked and not able to be taken out onto the river. Guests that are interested in bringing their own boats are welcome to contact Port City Marina to rent a slip during their stay.

About the Area

Located on the waterfront, this houseboat is in Wilmington Historic District, a neighborhood in Wilmington. Children's Museum of Wilmington and Magnolia Greens Golf Plantation are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach. Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park and Wilmington Railroad Museum are also worth visiting. With motor boating, sailing, and surfing/body boarding 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 home tips:

Find your best deal:

• In the Cape Fear area area, The earlier your group can book a vacation home, the easier your search will be. The most desirable rental properties are booked very early. Booking your vacation property six - twelve months before your vacation dates is recommended. Holiday gatherings are excellent times to search for and reserve your vacation home.
• Summer time is high season in Wilmington. To get the best rental home for your budget, we strongly suggest booking in Spring or Fall. You'll enjoy lower rates, better selection, warm weather and the absence of giant crowds at popular Cape Fear area attractions and restaurants.
• Some property managers offer discounts or promotional rates for veterans and active duty military. Check with your host or property manager to see if special offers are available for your family before you book.
• Management companies and individual rental owners typically offer their guests an option to obtain trip insurance protection. Trip insurance, which costs anywhere between 1% - 5% of the base reservation price, offers visitors reimbursement of costs for missed days as a result of personal medical-related emergencies or weather, as well as ensuing additional hurricane evacuation costs or charges, such as an unexpected hotel stay or extra gas expenses. Trip insurance might be a a life-saver if the unforeseen happens. Ask your host for details.
• Many property management companies supply Cape Fear area area visitor guide magazines which include money-saving deals, either offered directly by local companies, or by way of 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 grocery stores, shopping centers, and visitor centers.

Use filters to narrow your search:

• Start by choosing the best vacation week and a budget.
• Decide how many bedrooms and what type of bedroom configuration your group needs. Adrift at The Cove - Houseboat in Downtown Wilmington, NC has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. If you need a larger or smaller rental, use our rental home search.
• Precise information regarding bedrooms and bed counts & types is normally available on booking pages. If they are not listed, reach out to the property owner before you reserve your home. Remember that most property listings specify maximum guest capacity, which usually includes sofa beds and bunks. You'll need to establish what is best for your family.
• If your family is vacationing with pets, search for a pet-friendly property. Ask for specifics on breed, size, and type restrictions. Often, hosts charge additional pet fees.
• Does your family require particular amenities? Most rental search websites include amenity lists and search filters.
• Proper accessibility amenities can make or break a vacation for persons with a disability. .

Know before you go:

• Get the property manager's phone number and arrival/departure procedures for your rental. We recommend storing the manager's information in your smartphone.
• Hosts are there to help! Feel free to ask questions before, during, or after your stay.
• Protect the owner (and your things!) by keeping the rental locked up while you are gone, just like you would back home.
• Upon check-in, note any damages to the rental property and immediately contact the property manager. Record all correspondence just in case a dispute arises.
• Be a good neighbor! You wouldn't like obnoxious vacationers disrupting your peaceful home life. Employ the golden rule for best judgement. If they like you, locals might even recommend great local food and places you would've not otherwise known!
• Speaking of neighbors... Ask a local resident! Neighbors can often point you in the right direction. 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?
• Don't leave anything behind! Before you drive away, walk through the rental property to confirm you've collected all of your things. Check bathrooms, garages, and back yards for hidden items. Clean out 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 your group have a terrific time? Many rental managers make it easy for clients to provide feedback. If your property and/or property manager was wonderful, they would love to hear it. If anything was wrong and they failed to address it within reason, or if the vacation rental wasn't as described, you'll want to make a note as part of your review.