Dockside at The Cove - Downtown Wilmington in Port City Marina - 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.

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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 delightfully 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 sizable living space with a 55" Intelligent TV and a impressive 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, 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 painless. 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.

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!

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 striking 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 charming villas, boasting thoughtfully designed angled slips, photogenic 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.

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.

About the Area

Located on the waterfront, this houseboat is in Downtown Wilmington, a neighborhood in Wilmington. Wilmington Railroad Museum and Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College are cultural highlights, and travelers looking to shop may want to visit The Cotton Exchange and Mayfaire Town Center. Children's Museum of Wilmington and Carolina Heights are also worth visiting. With water skiing, water tubing, and motor boating nearby, you'll find plenty of adventures in the water.

Special Instructions

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

Pet Policy

Pets not allowed

Tips and Tricks for getting the best vacation rental experience:

Finding your perfect rental:

• The sooner your group can book a rental home, the easier your search will be. The most desirable rental homes are reserved early. Booking your vacation home six - twelve months before your vacation dates is recommended. Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Years Eve are excellent times to plan and reserve your vacation rental.
• Summertime is the most expensive season along the coast of NC. To book the most suitable vacation home within your budget, we highly recommend booking in the Fall or Spring. You'll benefit from lower rates, better selection, beautiful weather and the absence of large crowds at Wilmington, NC restaurants, beaches, and activities. Many vacationers use this strategy to reserve larger homes, or to reserve a beach front rental that would otherwise be unavailable during June, July, and August. Speaking of the off-season, don't overlook the holidays for a Wilmington, NC vacation! Who wouldn't love a holiday vacation near the ocean? Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years are great times to gather with loved ones at the beach.
• Hosts sometimes offer discounts for veterans and active duty military. Check with your host or property manager to see if special offers are available for your group.
• Management companies and individual rental owners usually offer customers an option to add vacation insurance protection. Trip insurance, which generally costs 1% - 5% of the base reservation price, offers visitors reimbursement of costs for missed vacation time as a result of personal medical-related emergencies or weather, as well as ensuing additional evacuation costs, such as an unanticipated hotel overnight or extra gasoline expenses. Trip insurance can be a a bank account-saver if the unforeseen happens. Ask your host for program terms and fees.
• Find a copy of your local Wilmington, NC area magazine upon checking in. If your rental doesn't have a copy, you can find them at local shops and visitor centers. In addition to great articles, visitors guide magazines contain coupons for local tours, shops, and attractions.

Use filters to narrow your rental search:

• Select a group lead, select your trip dates, and choose a spending budget.
• Decide how many bedrooms and what type of bedroom configuration your group needs. Dockside at The Cove - Downtown Wilmington in Port City Marina has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. If you need a larger or smaller rental, use our Wilmington, NC vacation rental search.
• Precise descriptions of bedrooms and bed sizes & counts is usually accessible on booking websites. If you don't see them listed, call the property management company before booking the vacation home. Remember that most properties list the maximum guest capacity, which often includes sofa beds in living rooms. You will need to establish what is best for your vacation family.
• If your group is vacationing with pets, you will need a pet-friendly rental. Make sure to ask for information on breed, size, and type restrictions. Often, hosts require additional pet deposits and fees.
• Visiting for a specific event or attraction? Try a map search to locate nearby properties.
• Suitable accessibility can make or ruin a vacation for persons with disabilities. Remember to confirm all necessary amenities are available before booking

More tips for your stay:

• Add the owner's contact info to your phone. Print and take a copy of arrival/departure procedures.
• Property managers are available to help! Feel free to ask questions before, during, or after your stay.
• Lock your vacation home while you're away. Protect your property!
• Document any damages to the rental during check in, and immediately send them to the property manager. We specifically recommend e-mails and text messages, as they usually contain built-in time stamps that are valuable if a dispute arises.
• Be a good neighbor! You wouldn't like obnoxious vacationers disrupting your peace and quiet. Apply the golden rule for best judgement. Happy residents may even recommend great local food and scenic spots you would've never otherwise known about!
• Don't forget to... Ask a local! Residents can often point you in the right direction. Who better to ask where to go for the best drinks, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for BBQ?
• When it's time to leave, take a walk-through to make sure you haven't forget any personal items. Check closets, dressers, garages, and bathrooms for hidden belongings. Clean out the refrigerator and take or dispose of leftovers.
• Record a video to document the condition of the property.
• Did your group have a excellent vacation? Most rental management companies make it easy for clients to provide comments. If your rental property and/or property management company was great, they will likely appreciate your kind words. If anything was inoperable and they failed to fix 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 comments.