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 calming 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 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 supplied, alongside a drip coffee maker.

Living Room 1:
If cooking isn't your idea of fun, you may be more drawn to the handsomely 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, 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 sizable 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 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 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!

About the Area

This houseboat is located in Downtown Wilmington, a neighborhood in Wilmington, and is near theme parks and on the waterfront. Battleship North Carolina and Wilmington Railroad Museum 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

Strategies for getting the perfect vacation property experience:

How to get the best rental home value:

• In the Wrightsville Beach area, The earlier you can reserve a home, the better your selection will be. The most desirable vacation homes are booked very early. Reserving your vacation property up to 12 months before your vacation dates is recommended. Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Years Eve are excellent times to plan and book your vacation home.
• Summer months are the most expensive season along the coast of NC. To get the best value, consider shifting your family's Wrightsville Beach vacation week to the Spring or Fall shoulder seasons. May, September, and even October offer warmer weather, fewer crowds, and greatly reduced traffic. Many vacationers use this strategy to reserve larger homes, or to reserve a beach front rental that would otherwise be unavailable during the Summer months. Speaking of the off-season, don't overlook the holidays for a Wrightsville Beach vacation! Who wouldn't love a holiday near the ocean? Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Years Eve are great times to gather with friends and family at your favorite beach.
• Some hosts offer discounts for veterans and active duty military. Remember to ask your property manager if rate reductions are available for your group before you book.
• Booking websites frequently offer renters an option to obtain trip insurance. Trip insurance, which costs between 1% - 5% of the base stay price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for missed time as a result of medical-related issues or weather, as well as evacuation costs, such as an unexpected hotel or additional gasoline expenses. Trip insurance might be a a life-saver if the unforeseen occurs. Ask your host for program terms and fees.
• Find a copy of your local visitors guide upon arrival. If your rental home doesn't have one, you can find them at local grocery stores and visitor centers. In addition to great articles, travel guides have offers and deals for local restaurants, attractions, and tours.

Use filters to narrow your search:

• Choose a group leader, choose your trip dates, and select a spending budget.
• Determine how many beds and the configuration your family requires. Wanderlust at The Cove - Luxury Houseboat - Downtown Wilmington has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
• Specific details about bedrooms and bed sizes & counts is almost always accessible on booking websites. Otherwise, email or call the property management company before reserving the property. Note that most property listings specify the maximum guest capacity, which frequently includes pull out couches in living rooms. You'll need to determine what configuration is suitable for your vacation.
• If your group is vacationing with pets, you will need a pet-friendly rental. Ask for details on breed, size, and type restrictions. Often, property managers require additional pet deposits and fees.
• Is your group looking for particular amenities? Most rental search websites include search filters for amenities.
• Proper accessibility can make or break a vacation for the less-mobile. Make certain to inquire about wheel chair entry, pool lifts and specialized equipment needs.

Tips for your stay:

• Take a copy of the property manager's contact number and check in/check out procedures for your rental home. Store the host's contact information in your smartphone and wallet.
• Property managers are available to help! Don't be shy to ask any questions before, during, or after your stay.
• Protect the property owner (and your things!) by locking and securing the home when you are away, just like you would back home.
• To make sure that no damages are linked to your visit, make a record of any problem areas upon check in. Speak to the rental manager right away to relay your findings. If there is a dispute, having the recorded problems and contact attempts will be valuable.
• Respecting late-night quiet hours and parking policies can make a stay more pleasurable. Be a good neighbor. You will increase your chance to make local friends, and resident neighbors are a terrific source for finding the best local restaurants, beaches, and hangouts.
• Speaking of neighbors... Ask a local! Locals can frequently help. Who better to ask where to find the best seashells, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for shopping?
• Don't leave anything behind! Just before you drive away, walk through the rental to make sure you've collected all personal items. Remember to check garages, decks, and cabinets for hidden items. Clean out the refrigerator and take any leftovers home.
• Inspect the rental a final time and keep an eye out for any damage. We suggest inspecting the property with the host whenever you can. If the property manager isn't available, remember to take video and pictures of the rental to record its condition at check-out.
• Did you have a terrific time? Most rental managers make it easy for clients to provide reviews. If your rental and/or host was great, they would love to hear it. If anything was amiss and they failed to fix it within reason, or if the vacation rental wasn't described correctly, you'll want to make a note as part of your review.