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

About this Property

• Sleeps 6
• 2 Bedrooms
• 2 Bathrooms
• Private vacation home

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 relaxing 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 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 delightfully 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 (Couch bed):
As you make your way upstairs, you'll discover another enormous living space with a sectional couch (with pull out sleeper), 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 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, 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!

About the Area

Located on the waterfront, this vacation home is in Wilmington Historic District, a neighborhood in Wilmington. Battleship North Carolina and Live Oak Bank Pavilion are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Children's Museum of Wilmington and Magnolia Greens Golf Plantation. Wilmington Railroad Museum and Carolina Heights are also worth visiting. With kayaking, motor boating, and sailing 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 for getting the perfect Cape Fear area vacation home experience:

Cost saving strategies:

• Reserve your vacation home as early as possible. Rental schedules generally become available 12 months in advance (or in September just after Summertime ends). Many families book their Summer rentals during holiday get-togethers. Book before these holidays for best selection.
• Book your rental property in the Fall or Spring shoulder seasons to enjoy beautiful weather while saving money and avoiding crowds. Many vacationers use this method to find larger homes within budget, or to book a beach front rental that would otherwise be unavailable or unaffordable during the Summer. 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? Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Years Eve are great times to gather with loved ones at your favorite beach.
• Some hosts offer rate reductions for veterans and active duty military. Ask your host or property manager if discounts are available for your group.
• Property management companies typically offer guests an option to obtain vacation insurance. Trip insurance, which costs anywhere between 1% - 5% of the base reservation price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for missed trip time as a result of personal medical-related emergencies or weather disasters, as well as ensuing additional hurricane evacuation costs, such as an unexpected hotel or additional gas expenses. Trip insurance might be a a welcome relief if the unforeseen happens. Ask the property owner for additional information.
• Look for your local visitors guide when you check-in. If your rental doesn't have one, you can find them at local shops and visitor centers. In addition to great information, visitor guide magazines have money saving offers on local accommodations and attractions.

Make a plan and pick your prefectvacation home:

• Choose vacation week and spending budget.
• Determine how many bedrooms and what type of bedroom configuration your group needs. The Cove - Houseboat Oasis has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. If you need a larger or smaller rental, use our Cape Fear area vacation rental search.
• Precise details about bedrooms and bed sizes & counts is normally available on booking pages. If you don't see them listed, reach out to the property owner before you reserve the property. Note that most properties list the maximum guest capacity, which usually includes sofa beds and bunks. You'll need to work out what configuration is best for your vacation group.
• Do your family pets travel with you? Many vacation homes allow animals, but guidelines and restrictions apply. Type of pet, size and breeds may be limited. Ask your property manager before booking, and study your rental agreement! Pet fees or costs might be applied to your contract.
• Is your family looking for particular amenities? Most websites include search filters with amenity lists. Amenity filters help you quickly remove less-optimal properties.
• Proper accessibility can make or break a vacation for persons with disabilities. Remember to confirm all necessary amenities are available before booking

Know before you go:

• Store the manager's contact information in your smartphone.
• Property managers are great sources of help! Feel free to ask questions before, during, or after your stay.
• Ensure you protect the property owner (and your things!) by locking the property when you are gone, just like you would at home.
• Make a record of any damages to the property upon arrival, and immediately e-mail them to the property manager. We specifically recommend texts and e-mails, as they usually contain built-in time stamps that can be valuable if there is a dispute.
• Be respectful. Often times, surrounding homes are filled by permanent residents. Respecting noise limits and parking regulations can make a stay significantly more pleasurable.
• Speaking of neighbors... Ask a local! Local residents can typically help you find the best spots in town. Who better to ask where to see a beautiful sunrise or sunset, have a great night out, or the best spots for fishing?
• Just before checking out, complete a walk-through to confirm you did not forget anything. Make sure to check garages, decks, and cabinets for hidden items. Clean out the refrigerator and take any leftovers home.
• Walk through the property a final time and scan for any damage. We suggest inspecting the property with the host whenever you can (often this isn't possible). If the host isn't available, take photographs of the property to record its condition at check-out.
• Did your group have a excellent stay? Many rental websites make it easy for customers to provide reviews. If your property and/or property manager was wonderful, they would love to hear it. If anything was wrong and they failed to correct it within reason, or if the vacation rental wasn't as described, you'll want to make a note as part of your comments.