Haven - Pet Friendly Houseboat, Downtown Wilmington - Vacation rental home in Wilmington, NC

About this Property

• Sleeps 6
• 2 Bedrooms
• 2 Bathrooms
• House boat

Welcome to The Cove, the only luxury dockside rental community of its kind.
Floating atop the Cape Fear River in Historic Downtown Wilmington, our roomy 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.
@thecove_wilmington (IG/FB/TT)

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 supplied, alongside a drip coffee maker.

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

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 photogenic 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 alluring villas, boasting thoughtfully designed angled slips, beautiful 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 noise:
Located 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.

About the Area

This houseboat is located in Wilmington Historic District, a neighborhood in Wilmington, and is near theme parks and on the waterfront. Brooklyn Arts Center at St. Andrews and City Stage Theatre are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach. 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. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing, kayaking, and snorkeling nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with cycling.

Special Instructions

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

Pet Policy

3 total pets

Rental home tips and tricks:

Finding your perfect rental home:

• Book your rental as early as possible. Rental schedules usually open twelve months in advance (or in September just after the Summer season ends). Many groups book their Summer vacations during Winter holiday get-togethers. Book before these holidays for best selection.
• Reserving a rental home in the Fall or Spring shoulder seasons is a good way to save on your rental home. Rates are lower, and you'll find a larger selection of suitable homes. Many vacationers use this method to find larger homes within budget, or to reserve a beach front rental that would otherwise be unavailable during June, July, and August.
• Veterans and Active Duty Military members may be qualified for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective property manager if your group qualifies for a price reduction or discount.
• Property managers typically offer guests an option to buy vacation insurance protection. Trip insurance, which normally will cost anywhere between 1% - 5% of the base booking price, offers visitors reimbursement of costs for any missed time as a result of medical-related issues or weather, as well as evacuation charges, such as an unexpected hotel stay or extra gasoline expenses. Trip insurance might be a a bank account-saver if the unforeseen occurs. Ask your property manager for program terms and fees.
• Many management companies and vacation rental houses supply Carolina Beach area travel guides which often include money-saving offers, either offered directly by local businesses, or through a relationship between the rental management company and the business itself. You can also find Carolina Beach area magazine and coupon books at local grocery stores, shopping centers, and visitor centers.

Use filters to search efficiently:

• Select a group lead, select your trip dates, and choose a maximum budget.
• Determine how many bedrooms and what type of bedroom configuration your family needs. Haven - Pet Friendly Houseboat, Downtown Wilmington has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
• Specific details about bedrooms and bed counts & types is regularly accessible online. If not, email the host before reserving your rental. Note that most listings specify the maximum guest capacity, which usually includes sofa beds. You'll need to establish what configuration is suitable for your group.
• If your family is bringing pets, you'll need to find a pet-friendly property. Make sure to ask for details on breed, size, and type restrictions. Often, property owners require additional pet deposits and fees.
• Visiting for a specific event? Use a map search to browse nearby rentals.
• Suitable accessibility amenities can make or ruin a vacation for guests that require the use of a wheelchair. Remember to confirm all required amenities are included before reserving a rental

More considerations for your visit:

• Put the owner's information in your smartphone.
• Ask questions. You may want instructions for a garage door opener, television set or WIFI setup. Contact your owner. They are there to help! A brief phone call prevents lots of difficulties.
• Protect the rental owner (and your stuff!) by locking and securing the home when you are away, just like you would at home.
• To make certain damages are not attributed to your stay, inspect for any problem areas upon check in. Call the property manager immediately to record your findings. If there is a dispute about legal responsibility later, having the recorded concerns and contact attempts will be useful.
• Be a good neighbor! You wouldn't like unpleasant visitors disrupting your peaceful neighborhood. Use the golden rule for common sense. Happy residents may even recommend great restaurants and places you would have not otherwise known!
• Don't forget to... Ask a local! Locals can frequently point you in the right direction. Who better to ask where to enjoy a steak with a view, have a great night out, or the best spots for shopping?
• Upon check-out, complete a walk-through to make sure you did not forget any personal items. Remember to check bathrooms, dressers, and closets for hidden belongings. Clean out the refrigerator and take any leftovers home.
• Record a video to document the condition of the property.
• Did your group have a great stay? Many rental home management companies make it easy for vacationers to provide reviews. If your property and/or property management company was fantastic, they always love to hear your praise. If anything was inoperable and they failed to address it in a reasonable manner, or if the vacation rental wasn't described correctly, you'll want to make a note as part of your feedback.