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

About this Property

• Sleeps 6
• 2 Bedrooms
• 2 Bathrooms
• House boat
• Approximately 1200 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 peaceful view of the sunset, your stay at The Cove is sure to leave you feeling refreshed, restored, and wanting to return again soon.

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The space:

After parking in our complimentary lot and making the 5 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 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 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, 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 sizable living space with a sectional couch (with pull out sleeper), 60" Intelligent TV, desk and chair, 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 enormous 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

This houseboat is located in Wilmington Historic District, a neighborhood in Wilmington. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach, while Battleship North Carolina and Live Oak Bank Pavilion are cultural highlights. Wilmington Railroad Museum and Children's Museum of Wilmington are also worth visiting.

Special Instructions

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

Pet Policy

Pets not allowed

Tips and Tricks to get the best Wrightsville Beach vacation home experience:

Get the most from your spending budget:

• Book your rental as early as possible. Rental schedules usually become available twelve months in advance (or in September just after Summertime ends). Many groups book their Summer rentals during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Eve get-togethers. Reserve before these holidays for best selection.
• Reserve your Wrightsville Beach vacation in the Fall or Spring shoulder seasons to enjoy gorgeous weather while saving money and avoiding crowds. Many vacationers use this strategy to reserve larger homes, or to reserve a beach front rental that would otherwise be unavailable during the Summer.
• Some owners offer discounts for veterans. Ask your property manager if rate reductions are available for your family.
• Management companies and individual rental owners typically offer their guests an option to buy vacation insurance. Trip insurance, which costs between 1% - 5% of the stay price, offers visitors reimbursement of costs for any missed days as a result of personal medical-related catastrophes or weather disasters, as well as evacuation costs or charges, such as an unexpected hotel overnight or additional gasoline expenses. Trip insurance can be a a life-saver if the unforeseen occurs. Ask the property owner for details.
• Many management companies supply Wrightsville Beach area visitors guide magazines that include money-saving offers, either offered directly by local companies, or through a relationship with the management company and the business itself. You can also find Wrightsville Beach area magazine and coupon books at local gas stations and shopping centers.

Finding the best rental in Wilmington:

• Select your dates and spending budget.
• Determine how many bedrooms and what type of bedroom configuration you need. The Cove - Houseboat Serenity has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. If you need a larger or smaller rental, use our vacation rental search.
• Specific information regarding bedrooms and bed counts & types is almost always available online. If not, email or call the host before you book the property. Remember that most properties list the maximum guest capacity, which oftentimes includes pull-out couches and bunk beds. You will need to establish what is right for your trip.
• If your group is vacationing with pets, you'll need to find a rental that allows animals. Get information on breed, weight, and type requirements. Usually, property managers charge pet deposits and fees.
• If there's a specific Wrightsville Beach beach you crave, browse rentals that are either close by, or those that cater to your requirements.
• Appropriate accessibility can make or ruin a vacation for guests with disabilities. .

More considerations:

• Get the owner's phone number and entry/exit procedures for your rental property. Put the host's contact information in your smartphone.
• Property managers are there to help! Feel free to ask questions during your stay.
• Protect the property owner (and your things!) by keeping the rental locked up when you are gone, just like you would at home.
• Upon check-in, record any damages to the rental property and immediately contact the owner. Keep records of all correspondence just in case a dispute arises.
• Be respectful. Often, nearby homes are filled by local residents. Respecting noise limits and parking regulations can make a stay significantly more pleasurable.
• Don't forget to... Ask a local! Locals can typically help you find the best spots in town. Who better to ask where to find the fresh catch of the day, have a great night out, or the best spots for bird watching?
• Don't leave anything behind! Before departing, walk through the property to reconfirm you've collected all of your things. Make sure to check bathrooms, garages, and back yards for hidden belongings. Clean out the refrigerator and take or dispose of leftovers.
• Go through the rental one final time and keep an eye out for damages to contents or the property itself. We recommend inspecting the property with the property manager whenever you can. If the manager isn't available, ensure that you take pictures of the rental to record its condition at check-out.
• Remember to leave a review! Property owners rely on good ratings to propel more reservations. They'll be thankful for your feedback. Alternatively, if something wasn't right, other families will be thankful you shared your experience find their best vacation rental. Be fair with your review. If something fell short of expectations, consider whether the owner could control the issue, and if so, whether they responded expeditiously to fix it.