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 calming 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 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 (Couch bed):
As you make your way upstairs, you'll discover another huge living space with a sectional couch (with pull out sleeper), 60" Intelligent TV, desk and chair, and a gorgeous 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 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

Downtown Wilmington, a neighborhood in Wilmington, is home to this houseboat. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach, while Live Oak Bank Pavilion and Wilmington Railroad Museum are cultural highlights. Children's Museum of Wilmington and Carolina Heights are also worth visiting.

Special Instructions

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

Pet Policy

Pets not allowed

How to book the best Wilmington vacation home experience:

Get the most from your vacation rental budget:

• In the Carolina Beach area, The sooner you can reserve a vacation home, the better your selection will be. The most desirable vacation rentals are booked very early. Booking your rental home up to 12 months before your vacation is recommended. Winter holidays are excellent times to plan and reserve your vacation rental.
• Reserve your Carolina Beach vacation in Fall or Spring months to get the benefit of gorgeous weather while saving money and avoiding crowds. Many vacationers use this strategy to find larger homes within budget, or to book a beach front rental that would otherwise be unavailable during the Summer.
• Veterans and Active Duty Military members may qualify for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective property manager if your group qualifies for a price reduction.
• Property management companies typically offer their guests an option to purchase trip insurance. Trip insurance, which will generally cost between 1% - 5% of the stay price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for missed time as a result of personal medical-related catastrophes or weather, as well as ensuing additional hurricane evacuation costs or charges, such as an unexpected hotel or extra gas expenses. Trip insurance might be a a life-saver if the unforeseen occurs. Ask the property owner for program terms and fees.
• Find a copy of your local Carolina Beach area magazine when you check-in. If your rental property doesn't have a copy, you can find them at local shops and visitor centers. In addition to great local articles, travel guide magazines contain money saving offers on local accommodations and attractions.

Narrow your Search:

• Start by selecting potential vacation weeks and a maximum budget.
• Note the number bedrooms and what type of bedroom configuration your family needs. The Cove - Houseboat Serenity has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. If you need a larger or smaller rental, use our rentals search.
• Precise details about bedrooms and bed types is generally available online. Otherwise, email or call the host before reserving the vacation property. Remember that most properties list the max. guest capacity, which typically includes pull out couches in living rooms.
• If your family is vacationing with pets, you must book a pet-friendly rental. Get information on breed, size, and type restrictions. Be aware that some property managers charge pet deposits and fees.
• If there's an individual Carolina Beach destination you long to visit, keep an eye out for rentals that are either close by, or those that cater to your requirements.
• Proper accessibility can make or break a vacation for persons with a disability. Remember to confirm all required amenities are available before reserving a rental

Have a wonderful stay:

• Be sure you get the property manager's phone number and arrival/departure procedures for your .
• Ask questions. You may need instructions for a hot tub, A/V setup or washer/dryer. Contact your host. They are there to help! A brief telephone call prevents many issues.
• Protect the owner (and your stuff!) by locking the rental while you are away, just like you would back home.
• To make certain that damages are not attributed to your family's visit, record any problem areas upon check in. message the rental manager immediately to relay any pre-existing damages. If there is a dispute about legal responsibility later, having the recorded problems and contact attempts will be helpful.
• Be a good neighbor! You wouldn't like unpleasant vacationers disrupting your peace. Employ the golden rule for common sense. Happy residents may even recommend great restaurants and places you would've not otherwise known!
• Don't forget to... Ask a local resident! Neighbors can often help. Who better to ask where to take kids for a treat, have a great night out, or the best spots for crabbing?
• Don't leave anything behind! Just before you drive away, take a walk through the rental property to make sure you've collected all belongings. Check closets, dressers, garages, and bathrooms for hidden treasure. Clean the refrigerator and take or dispose of leftovers.
• Go through the rental one final time and keep an eye out for damage. We advise inspecting the property with the host whenever possible. If the host isn't available, remember to take video of the property to record its condition at check-out.
• Did you have a excellent stay? Most rental websites make it easy for guests to provide comments. If your rental property and/or host was terrific, they would love to hear it. If anything was amiss and they failed to fix it in a reasonable manner, or if the vacation rental wasn't described correctly, you'll want to make it a point as part of your review.