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 peaceful 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 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 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 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 (Couch bed):
As you make your way upstairs, you'll discover another huge 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 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, enormous 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 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.

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 on the waterfront, this vacation home 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. 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

Tips for getting the best Wilmington, NC vacation home experience:

Finding your best deal:

• In the Wilmington, NC area, The earlier your group can reserve a home, the easier your search will be. The most desirable properties are booked early. Booking your rental home six - twelve months before your vacation dates is recommended. Holiday gatherings are excellent times to search for and reserve your vacation rental.
• To get the best value, try shifting your family's Wilmington, NC trip dates to the Spring or Fall shoulder seasons. May, September, and even October offer pleasant temperatures, fewer crowds, and reduced traffic. Many vacationers use this method to reserve larger homes, or to book a beach front rental that would otherwise be unaffordable during June, July, and August.
• Some property managers offer rate reductions for veterans and active duty military. Check with your property manager to see if special offers are available for your group.
• Property management companies usually offer guests an option to purchase trip insurance protection. Trip insurance, which commonly will cost anywhere between 1% - 5% of the stay price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for any missed time as a result of medical-related issues or weather, as well as ensuing additional hurricane evacuation costs, such as an unanticipated hotel overnight or additional gas expenses. Trip insurance might be a a bank account-saver if the unforeseen occurs. Ask your property manager for details.
• Often, management companies supply Wilmington, NC area travel guide magazines which often include money-saving deals, either offered independently by local companies, or through a relationship between the management company and the business itself. You can also find Wilmington, NC visitors guide and coupon books at local grocery stores, shopping centers, and visitor centers.

Use filters to narrow your search:

• First and foremost, have your group choose date ranges and a max budget.
• Note the number bedrooms and the bed configuration your group needs. The Cove - Houseboat Oasis has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
• Specific descriptions of bedrooms and bed types is usually accessible online. If not, email or call the property manager before you book your rental. Remember that most listings specify the maximum guest capacity, which typically includes sofa beds in living rooms.
• If your group is vacationing with pets, you'll need to search for a rental that allows animals. Make sure to ask for details on breed, size, and type restrictions. Be aware that some hosts charge additional pet fees.
• Are you looking for particular amenities? Most rental search websites include search filters for amenities. Amenity filters help you quickly remove less-optimal properties.
• Suitable accessibility amenities can make or break a vacation for the less-mobile. .

More considerations for your visit:

• Put the manager's information in your smartphone.
• Hosts are great sources of help! Feel free to ask any questions during your stay.
• Ensure you protect the owner (and your things!) by keeping the rental locked up when you are out, just like you would at home.
• Note any issues with the rental during check in, and immediately e-mail them to the owner. We specifically recommend e-mails and text messages, as they usually contain time stamps that are beneficial if a dispute arises.
• Be a good neighbor! You wouldn't like disrespectful vacationers bothering your home life. Use the golden rule for best judgement. Happy residents may even recommend great local food and attractions you would've not otherwise known about!
• Speaking of neighbors... Ask a local resident! Local residents can often help. Who better to ask where to order the best nachos, have a great night out, or the best spots for shopping?
• Just prior to departing, complete a walk-through to make sure you did not leave anything behind. Remember to check garages, decks, and cabinets for hidden items. Remove everything from the refrigerator and take any leftovers home.
• Inspect the rental a final time and keep an eye out for any damage. We advise walking through with the host 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.
• Leave feedback! Property owners rely on great ratings to drive new bookings. They'll be thankful for your feedback. Alternatively, if something went awry, other vacationers will will be grateful for your experience and help them have the best future vacation. Please be objective. If something fell short of expectations, consider whether the host had any control over the issue, and if so, whether they responded reasonably to fix it.