Santorini - Stay Afloat on Downtown Wilmington's Riverwalk - Vacation rental home in Wilmington, NC

About this Property

• Sleeps 4
• 2 Bedrooms
• 2 Bathrooms
• House boat
• Approximately 1200 square feet

Welcome to The Cove, the only luxury dockside rental community of its kind.
Floating atop the Cape Fear River in Historic Downtown Wilmington, our cavernous 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 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 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, 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 sizable living space with a 55" Intelligent TV and a beautiful 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, 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 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 adore 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 beautiful 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, gorgeous 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 included 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 noiseLocated 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.

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 in Downtown Wilmington, a neighborhood in Wilmington, this houseboat is near theme parks and on the waterfront. Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Wilmington Railroad Museum and Children's Museum of Wilmington. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College or Legion Stadium. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Special Instructions

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Pet Policy

2 total pets

How to get the best Wilmington, NC vacation property experience:

Find your perfect vacation home:

• Book your vacation home as early as possible. Rental schedules often open 12 months in advance (or in September just after Summer ends). Many groups reserve their Summer vacations during Winter holiday gatherings. Reserve before these holidays for best selection.
• Summer is high season in the Wilmington, NC area. To get the most suitable rental within your budget, we recommend reserving in Fall or Spring months. You'll benefit from lower rates, better selection, beautiful weather and the absence of giant crowds at Wilmington, NC restaurants, beaches, and activities. Many vacationers use this strategy to reserve larger homes, or to book an oceanfront vacation rental that would otherwise be unavailable during the Summer months. Speaking of the off-season, don't overlook Winter holidays for a Wilmington, NC vacation! Who wouldn't love a holiday on the coast? Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Years Eve are great times to gather with family and friends at the beach.
• Property managers sometimes offer promotional rates for active duty military and veterans. Ask your host or property manager if special offers are available for your family.
• Management companies and individual rental owners typically offer guests an option to obtain trip insurance. Trip insurance, which usually will cost you between 1% - 5% of the base reservation price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for any missed vacation time as a result of personal medical-related emergencies or weather disasters, as well as hurricane evacuation costs, such as an unexpected hotel stay or additional gas expenses. Trip insurance can be a a life-saver if the unforeseen happens. Ask the property owner for specifics.
• Look for your local Wilmington, NC visitors guide magazine when you arrive at the rental property. If your rental doesn't have a copy, you can find them at local grocery stores, shopping centers, and visitor centers. In addition to great local articles, visitors guide magazines contain money saving offers on local attractions, tours, restaurants, and shops.

Planning, selecting, and booking a perfectrental:

• Begin by selecting your the best vacation week and a budget.
• Note the number beds and the configuration your group requires. Santorini - Stay Afloat on Downtown Wilmington's Riverwalk has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
• Specific descriptions of bedrooms and bed counts is regularly available on booking pages. If not, reach out to the host before booking the property. Remember that most properties list the maximum guest capacity, which typically includes pull-out couches.
• Are you traveling with furry, four-legged family members? Although a number of vacation homes allow pets or animals, guidelines and costs vary per property. Type of pet, size and breeds may be limited. Remember to ask your host before booking, and study your rental agreement! Pet fees or could be applied to your invoice.
• If there's a particular Wilmington, NC attraction you love, search for homes that are either close by, or those that cater especially to your requirements.
• Appropriate accessibility amenities can make or break a vacation for those with limited mobility. .

Tips for your stay:

• Store the host's contact information in your smartphone and wallet.
• Hosts are great sources of help! Don't be shy to ask any questions before, during, or after your stay.
• Ensure you protect the owner (and your stuff!) by keeping the rental locked up while you are away, just like you would at home.
• To make sure that damages are not attributed to your family's stay, inspect for any problem areas when you arrive. Speak to the host right away to relay any damages. If there is a dispute about who is responsible, having the recorded issues and contact attempts will be valuable.
• Be a good neighbor! You wouldn't like loud visitors bothering your peaceful home. Apply the golden rule for common sense. Happy residents may even recommend great local food and attractions you would have not otherwise known!
• Speaking of neighbors... Ask a local! Neighbors can frequently point you in the right direction. Who better to ask where to get the best seafood, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for crabbing?
• Re-check the property to make sure that you've packed all of your family's items at check-out. Make sure to check dressers, closets, and bathrooms for hidden items. Clean the refrigerator and take any leftovers home.
• Go through the rental a final time and keep an eye out for damage. We recommend inspecting the property with the property manager whenever possible. If the property manager isn't available, remember to take photos of the property to record its condition.
• Remember to leave feedback! Hosts rely on great ratings to stimulate more reservations. They'll be grateful for your feedback. Alternatively, if something went awry, other vacationers will appreciate that you share your experience find their best vacation home. Remember to be objective. If something fell short of expectations, consider whether the property manager had any control over the issue, and if so, whether they responded quickly to remedy it.