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 peaceful 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 outfitted 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 charmingly 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, enormous 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 gorgeous 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, sizable 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

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 Carolina Beach vacation rental experience:

How to get the best value:

• To get the best vacation home within budget, we recommend reserving in Fall or Spring months. You'll enjoy lower rental rates, better selection, gorgeous weather and the absence of giant crowds at the beach and popular Carolina Beach attractions. Many vacationers use this method to find larger homes within budget, or to reserve an oceanfront rental that would otherwise be unavailable during the high season. Speaking of the off-season, don't overlook Winter holidays for a Carolina Beach vacation! Who wouldn't love a holiday vacation near the ocean? Thanksgiving and Christmas are great times to gather with friends and family at your favorite beach.
• Reserve your vacation home as early as possible. Rental schedules generally become available twelve months in advance (or in September just after Summer ends). Many families book their Summer vacations during Christmas and Thanksgiving gatherings. Book before these holidays for best selection.
• Property management companies sometimes offer promotional rates for active duty military and veterans. Remember to ask your host or property manager if special offers are available for your family.
• Property managers frequently offer customers an option to purchase trip insurance. Trip insurance, which costs 1% - 5% of the base stay price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for any missed trip time as a result of medical-related issues or weather, as well as ensuing additional evacuation costs or charges, such as an unexpected hotel or extra gas expenses. Trip insurance can be a a life-saver if the unforeseen occurs. Ask your host for specifics.
• Look for your local Carolina Beach area magazine upon checking in. If your rental property doesn't have a copy, you can find them at local shops and visitor centers. In addition to great information, visitor guides contain offers and deals for nearby accommodations, restaurants and tours.

How to select the best vacation home in Wilmington:

• To start, have your family choose the best dates and a max budget.
• Note the number beds and the configuration your group requires. Wanderlust at The Cove - Luxury Houseboat - Downtown Wilmington has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
• Specific descriptions of bedrooms and bed counts is normally accessible on booking websites. If they are not listed, email or call the property management company before reserving your home. Remember that most properties list the maximum guest capacity, which usually includes pull-out couches. You will need to determine what configuration is right for your group.
• Are you visiting for a specific event or attraction? If so, use a map search to find nearby rentals.
• Suitable accessibility can make or break a vacation for guests with disabilities. Confirm all necessary amenities are included before reserving a rental
• Some rentals allow pets, but some do not. Acceptable types of pet, size and breeds may be restricted, and added fees may apply. Ask the property manager about allowable breeds and types before booking.

More considerations for your visit:

• Take a copy of the property manager's phone number and entry/exit procedures for your rental property. Store the host's contact information in your smartphone.
• To make sure no damages are linked to your family's stay, make note of any problem areas upon check in. Get in touch with the property manager right away to record your findings. If there is a dispute about legal responsibility later, having a record of concerns and contact attempts will be useful.
• Hosts are great sources of help! Don't be shy to ask questions during your stay.
• Respecting late-night quiet hours and parking restrictions can make a stay more pleasurable. Be a good neighbor. You will magnify your chance to make local friends, and resident neighbors can be an incredible source for finding the best local beaches and restaurants.
• Speaking of neighbors... Ask a local! Local residents can typically help. Who better to ask where to enjoy a steak with a view, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for fine dining?
• Keep your rental home locked while you are gone! Don't let thieves spoil your trip.
• Double-check the property to confirm that you've packed all of your belongings on check-out day. Check bathrooms, garages, and back yards for hidden belongings. Clean the refrigerator and take any leftovers home.
• Walk through the rental a final time and scan for any damage. We advise walking through with the host whenever possible. If the host is not available, remember to take video of the rental to record its condition.
• Remember to leave feedback! Hosts rely on good reviews to compel more reservations. They'll be grateful for your review. Alternatively, if something wasn't as described, other vacationers will will be grateful for your review and help them have the best future vacation. Remember to be objective. If something fell short of expectations, consider whether the property manager could control the issue, and if so, whether they responded reasonably to solve it.