Journey at The Cove - Pet-Friendly Houseboat in Downtown Wilmington, NC - Vacation rental home in Wilmington, NC

About this Property

• Sleeps 4
• 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 outfitted 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 gorgeously 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, 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 beautiful view of the Cape Fear River through the sliding glass doors.

Upstairs Patio:
Just outside those doors, you'll find yourself on a sizable 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.

Service Dogs:
This villa is not pet-friendly, but service animals are welcome. North Carolina does not recognize emotional support animals as service animals for short term units (misrepresenting a pet as a service animal is a misdemeanor).

After booking, please let us know if a service dog will be present so we can supply some additional amenities such as clean up bags & furnishings covers, and notify the team so your dog’s presence will not be questioned.

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!


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 elegant villas, boasting thoughtfully designed angled slips, striking 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.

Additional Rules

-No flushing of anything other than natural waste and septic safe toilet paper (supplied)
-Kids under the age of 12 must be supervised at all times while in the marina
-Absolutely no swimming allowed - the current in the Cape Fear River is strong and dangerous
-No smoking or illicit drugs

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.

House Manual:

-HVAC remotes must be pointed at the unit on the ceiling when changing temperature/settings. The ceiling unit should beep when you press buttons.

-Breaker boxes/switches can be found in the closet to the left of the front door, as well as on the pedestal on the dock in front of your villa

-Internet is supplied by the Verizon boxes typically located in the upstairs living area. If your internet is not working, please locate the black box, unplug it, and plug it back in. Once the light stops blinking, it should be reconnected to the internet.

Other Details to Note:

Villas are permanently docked and not able to be taken out onto the river. Guests that are interested in bringing their own boats are welcome to contact Port City Marina to rent a slip during their stay.

About the Area

Located on the waterfront, this houseboat is in Downtown Wilmington, a neighborhood in Wilmington. 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. With water skiing, water tubing, and windsurfing 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

2 total pets

Rental home tips and tricks:

How to get the best value:

• The sooner your group can book, the easier your search will be. The most desirable vacation rentals are reserved early. Booking your vacation rental up to twelve months before your travel dates is recommended. Holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving are excellent times to plan and reserve your rental home.
• Summertime is the most expensive season in the Wilmington, NC area. To book the best vacation home within budget, we recommend reserving in Spring or Fall. You'll benefit from lower rates, better selection, beautiful weather and the absence of giant crowds at popular Wilmington, NC attractions and restaurants.
• Some hosts and property managers offer special rates for veterans. Remember to ask your property manager if rate reductions are available for your group before you book.
• Management companies and individual rental owners typically offer customers an option to obtain vacation insurance. Trip insurance, which costs anywhere between 1% - 5% of the reservation price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for missed vacation time as a result of personal medical-related issues or weather disasters, as well as ensuing additional evacuation costs or charges, such as an unexpected hotel or additional gas expenses. Trip insurance might be a a life-saver if the unforeseen occurs. Ask your property manager for more information.
• Many rental management companies supply Wilmington, NC area travel guides which often include money-saving offers, either offered directly by local companies, or by way of a relationship with the rental management company and the business itself. You can also find Wilmington, NC visitors guide magazine and coupon books at local shops and grocery stores.

Use filters to narrow your search:

• Select your vacation dates and spending budget.
• Decide how many bedrooms and the configuration your family needs. Journey at The Cove - Pet-Friendly Houseboat in Downtown Wilmington, NC has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
• Precise descriptions of bedrooms and bed sizes & counts is almost always accessible on booking pages. If not, reach out to the property management company before reserving the home. Remember that most listings specify maximum guest capacity, which usually includes sofa beds in living rooms.
• If your family is bringing pets, you must book a rental that allows animals. Ask for details on breed, size, and type restrictions. Usually, hosts charge pet deposits and fees.
• Are you visiting for a specific event? Use a map search to find nearby properties.
• Proper accessibility can make or ruin a vacation for guests with disabilities. Confirm all required amenities are included before reserving a rental.

More tips for your stay:

• Review check in & check out procedures before leaving home. Take a printed copy, and save the directions to your phone.
• Ask questions. You may want instructions for a hot tub, elevator or thermostat. Contact your host. They are there to help! A brief call prevents many difficulties.
• Lock your rental while you're away. Keep your property safe!
• To ensure that damages aren't attributed to your family's visit, note any problem areas when you arrive. Call the host immediately to document any damages. If there is a dispute, having the recorded concerns and contact attempts will be very helpful.
• Respect the neighborhood. Often, surrounding homes are filled by permanent residents. Respecting late-night quiet hours and parking rules can make a stay significantly more pleasurable.
• Don't forget to... Ask a local! Residents can usually help you find exactly what you're looking for. Who better to ask where to go for the best drinks, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for fishing?
• Don't leave anything behind! Before you drive away, walk through the property to reconfirm you've collected all personal belongings. Re-check closets, dressers, garages, and bathrooms for hidden belongings. Clean the refrigerator and take or dispose of leftovers.
• Document the condition of the property at check-out. We recommend taking a video during your final walk-through.
• After your trip, leave a review! Hosts rely on good feedback to drive more bookings. They'll be much obliged for your feedback. Alternatively, if something wasn't right, other vacationers will will be grateful for your experience find their best rental home. Be fair with your review. If something fell short of expectations, consider whether the property manager could control the issue, and if so, whether they responded expeditiously to remedy it.