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 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 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, enormous 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 gorgeous 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 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 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 Wilmington Historic District, 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

How to book the best Wilmington vacation rental experience:

Sticking to a rental home budget:

• Booking your Wilmington, NC vacation home in Fall or Spring months is a great way to save money on your vacation rental. Rates are lower, and you'll find a larger selection of acceptable homes.
• Book your vacation home as early as possible. Rental schedules generally become available a year in advance (or in September just after Summer ends). Many groups reserve their Summer rental homes during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Eve get-togethers. Reserve before these holidays for best selection.
• Owners sometimes offer discounts for active duty military and veterans. Make sure to check with your property manager to see if special offers are available for your group before you book.
• Property managers typically offer their guests an option to buy vacation insurance protection. Trip insurance, which commonly will cost 1% - 5% of the stay price, offers visitors reimbursement of costs for missed days as a result of medical-related catastrophes or weather, as well as evacuation costs or charges, such as an unanticipated hotel stay or extra fuel expenses. Trip insurance is definitely a welcome relief if the unforeseen happens. Ask your property manager for more information.
• Often, management companies supply Wilmington, NC area visitor guides which will include coupons, either offered independently by local businesses, or by way of a relationship between the management company and the business itself. You can also find visitors guide and coupon books at local shops and grocery stores.

Narrow your Search:

• Start by selecting your trip dates and a budget.
• Decide how many beds and what type of bedroom configuration you need. The Cove - Houseboat Bliss has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
• Specific information about bedrooms and bed types is regularly available online. If you don't see them listed, reach out to the property management company before booking your home. Remember that most listings specify the max. guest capacity, which typically includes sofa beds in living rooms.
• If there's a specific Wilmington, NC beach you are enamored with, browse homes that are either close by, or those that cater especially to your needs.
• Suitable accessibility can make or ruin a vacation for guests with disabilities. Confirm all required amenities are included before reserving a rental.
• Some rental properties allow pets, but others do not. Acceptable types of dog or cat, size and breeds may be restricted, and added fees may apply. Ask the host about pets before booking.

More considerations:

• Be sure you get the property manager's phone number and arrival/departure procedures for your rental.
• To make certain that damages aren't linked to your family's visit, record any problem areas during arrival. Make contact with the host immediately to relay your findings. If there is a dispute, having the recorded concerns and contact attempts will be valuable.
• Property managers are available to help! Don't be shy to ask questions during your stay.
• Be a good neighbor! You wouldn't like disagreeable visitors bothering your peaceful home. Practice the golden rule for best judgement. Happy residents may even recommend great beaches and places you would have not otherwise known about!
• Don't forget to... Ask a local resident! Local residents can frequently help you find exactly what you're looking for. Who better to ask where to grab the best tacos, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for fine dining?
• Lock your vacation home while you are out and about. Protect your property!
• Don't leave anything behind! Just before you drive away, take a walk through the rental property to confirm you've collected all personal items. Re-check dressers, closets, and bathrooms for hidden treasure. Remove everything from the refrigerator and take any leftovers home.
• Inspect the property one final time and keep an eye out for any damage. We recommend walking through with the property manager whenever you can. If the property manager isn't available, ensure that you take video of the property to record its condition.
• Remember to leave a review! Property owners rely on excellent reviews to compel new bookings. They'll be grateful for your review. Alternatively, if something wasn't as described, other vacationing families will appreciate that you share your feedback and help them have the best future vacation. Be fair with your review. If something fell short of expectations, consider whether the host had any control over the issue, and if so, whether they responded expeditiously to solve it.