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

About this Property

• Sleeps 4
• 2 Bedrooms
• 2 Bathrooms
• House boat
• Approximately 1102 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.

The space

After parking in our complimentary lot 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 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, 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:
As you make your way upstairs, you'll discover another huge living space with cozy furnishings, a 60" 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 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 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.

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 adore to have you Stay Afloat!

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. Live Oak Bank Pavilion and Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Children's Museum of Wilmington and Magnolia Greens Golf Plantation. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Legion Stadium or Trask Coliseum. With jet skiing, kayaking, and water tubing 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

Tricks and tips to get the very best rental home experience:

Finding the best rental value:

• Summer time is high season in Wilmington. To get the best rental within your budget, we suggest reserving in Fall or Spring. You'll enjoy lower rental rates, greater selection, warm weather and the absence of large crowds at your favorite restaurants and activities. Many vacationers use this strategy to find larger homes within budget, or to book an oceanfront vacation rental that would otherwise be unavailable during the high season.
• The sooner you can book a rental home, the easier your search will be. The best properties are reserved early. Booking your rental home 6-12 months before your travel dates is recommended. Holiday gatherings are excellent times to search for and book your rental home.
• Active Duty and veterans of the US Armed forces may qualify for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective host whether your family qualifies for a special promotion or discount.
• Booking websites usually offer guests an option to add trip insurance. Trip insurance, which will generally cost 1% - 5% of the base stay price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for missed days as a result of medical-related issues or weather disasters, as well as evacuation charges, such as an unanticipated hotel overnight or additional gasoline expenses. Trip insurance can be a a welcome relief if the unforeseen happens. Ask your host for details.
• Often, rental management companies and vacation rental houses supply Cape Fear area area visitors guides which include special deals, either offered directly by local businesses, or by way of a relationship with the rental management company and the business itself. You can also find Cape Fear area area magazine and coupon books at local grocery stores, shopping centers, and visitor centers.

Selecting and booking the perfect Cape Fear area rental:

• Start by choosing trip dates and a maximum budget.
• Decide how many bedrooms and the bed configuration your group needs. The Cove - Houseboat Bliss has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
• Specific information about bedrooms and bed types is usually available on booking pages. If not, email or call the property owner before you reserve your rental. Note that most listings specify the max. guest capacity, which often includes sofa beds and bunks.
• Are you visiting for a specific attraction or event? If so, use a map search to locate nearby properties.
• Appropriate accessibility amenities can make or break a vacation for guests with disabilities. .
• If your group is vacationing with pets, you'll need to find a rental that allows animals. Get details on breed, weight, and type restrictions. Be aware that some property managers charge additional pet fees.

Tips for a great stay:

• Take a copy of the owner's contact number and entry/exit procedures for your rental property. We recommend storing the host's contact information in your smartphone.
• Upon arrival, record any damages to the rental property and immediately contact the owner. Keep records of all coorespondence.
• Ask questions. You may need instructions for a hot tub, intercom or WIFI setup. Contact your host. They are there to help! A brief text message prevents lots of concerns.
• Respecting quiet hours and parking restrictions can make a stay significantly more pleasurable. You will magnify your chance to make local friends, and resident neighbors are often an incredible source for finding the best local beaches and restaurants.
• Don't forget to... Ask a local resident! Local residents can typically point you in the right direction. Who better to ask where to launch your kayaks, have a great night out, or the best spots for fishing?
• Keep your rental home locked while you're out! Don't let thieves spoil your vacation.
• Re-check every room of the rental property to confirm that you've packed all of your family's items on check-out day. Make sure to check garages, decks, and cabinets for hidden treasure. Clean out the refrigerator and take any leftovers home.
• Go through the property one final time and keep an eye out for any damage. We advise walking through with the property manager whenever you can (often this isn't possible). If the property manager is not available, take photos of the rental to record its condition at check-out.
• Remember to leave a review! Hosts rely on great ratings to stimulate new bookings. They'll be grateful for your review. Alternatively, if something wasn't right, other vacationing families will appreciate that you share your review and help them have the best future vacation. Be fair with your review. If something fell short of expectations, consider whether the property manager had any control over the issue, and if so, whether they responded reasonably to remedy it.