Wanderlust at The Cove - Luxury Houseboat - Downtown Wilmington - Vacation rental home in Wilmington, NC

About this Property

• Sleeps 4
• 2 Bedrooms
• 2 Bathrooms
• House boat

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.



@thecove_wilmington (IG)

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 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 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:
As you make your way upstairs, you'll discover another huge living space with a 55" 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, 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 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 adore 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 in Downtown Wilmington, a neighborhood in Wilmington, this houseboat is near theme parks and on the waterfront. Wilmington Railroad Museum and Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Children's Museum of Wilmington and Carolina Heights. Cape Fear Museum and Greenfield Lake Park and Gardens are also worth visiting. 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

Pets not allowed

Tips to get the very best Wrightsville Beach vacation property experience:

Getting the most from your spending budget:

• Summer months are the most expensive season in the Wrightsville Beach area. To find the best value, consider shifting your group's vacation to the Spring or Fall seasons. May, September, and October offer excellent temperatures, , and reduced traffic. Many vacationers use this strategy to find larger homes within budget, or to book a beach front rental that would otherwise be unaffordable during the Summer.
• Reserve your vacation home as soon as possible. Rental schedules often become available 12 months in advance (or in September just after Summer ends). Many families book their Summer rental homes during holiday get-togethers. Book before these holidays for best selection.
• Active Duty and veterans of the US Armed forces may qualify for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective property manager or host if your vacationing group qualifies for a price reduction or discount.
• Booking websites frequently offer their guests an option to buy vacation insurance protection. Trip insurance, which commonly costs anywhere between 1% - 5% of the reservation price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for missed trip time as a result of medical-related emergencies or weather, as well as evacuation charges, such as an unanticipated hotel stay or additional gas expenses. Trip insurance might be a a life-saver if the unforeseen occurs. Ask your host for more information.
• Look for your local Wrightsville Beach area magazine when you arrive at the rental property. If your rental doesn't have one, you can find them at local grocery stores, shopping centers, and visitor centers. In addition to great local articles, visitor guide magazines have discounts for nearby shops and restaurants.

Narrow your rental Search:

• First, have your family decide on a vacation week and a spending budget.
• Decide how many beds and what type of bedroom configuration your family requires. Wanderlust at The Cove - Luxury Houseboat - Downtown Wilmington has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
• Precise information about bedrooms and bed counts & types is regularly accessible online. If not, reach out to the property owner before booking your rental. Remember that most listings specify the maximum guest capacity, which frequently includes sofa beds.
• If there's an individual Wrightsville Beach attraction you love, search for homes that are either nearby, or those that cater to your desires.
• Suitable accessibility amenities can make or break a vacation for guests with disabilities. Remember to confirm all necessary amenities are included before booking
• If your group is bringing pets, you'll need to find a rental that allows animals. Get specifics on breed, size, and type restrictions. Usually, property managers charge pet deposits and fees.

During your stay:

• Add the owner's information to your smartphone. Understand and take a copy of check in/check out procedures.
• To make sure that no damages are attributed to your family's visit, inspect the property for any problem areas upon check in. Call the property manager immediately to report any pre-existing damages. If there is a dispute about legal responsibility later, having the recorded issues and contact attempts will be very helpful.
• Ask questions. You may need instructions for a garage door opener, stereo or WIFI setup. Contact your owner. They are there to help! A brief text message can prevent lots of problems.
• Be a good neighbor! You wouldn't like obnoxious visitors disrupting your peace. Practice the golden rule for common sense. Happy residents may even recommend great local food and scenic spots you would have never otherwise known!
• Don't forget to... Ask a local resident! Locals can often point you in the right direction. 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're out and about. Keep your property safe!
• On check-out day, complete a final walk-through to make sure you did not forget anything. Make sure to check garages, decks, and cabinets for hidden treasure. Clean the refrigerator and take or dispose of leftovers.
• Inspect the rental a final time and look for any damage. We advise inspecting the property with the host whenever possible. If the property manager is not available, take photos of the property to record its condition at check-out.
• Remember to leave feedback! Hosts rely on good feedback to stimulate future reservations. They'll be much obliged for your review. Alternatively, if something went awry, other vacationers will appreciate that you share your review find their best vacation rental. 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 fix it.