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 relaxing 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/FB/TT)

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 elegantly 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 (Couch bed):
As you make your way upstairs, you'll discover another sizable living space with a sectional couch (with pull out sleeper), 60" Intelligent TV, desk and chair, and a elegant 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 simple. 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!

About the Area

This houseboat is located in Wilmington Historic District, a neighborhood in Wilmington. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach, while Battleship North Carolina and Live Oak Bank Pavilion are cultural highlights. Wilmington Railroad Museum and Children's Museum of Wilmington are also worth visiting.

Special Instructions

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

Pet Policy

Pets not allowed

Tips to get the perfect rental home experience:

Money saving strategies:

• Summer months are the most expensive season in the Wilmington, NC area. Book your rental property in Fall or Spring months to enjoy gorgeous weather while saving money and avoiding crowded roads, restaurants, and activities. Speaking of the off-season, don't overlook the holidays for a Wilmington, NC vacation! Who wouldn't love a holiday near the ocean? Thanksgiving and Christmas are great times to gather with friends and family at the beach.
• The earlier your group can book a vacation home, the better your selection will be. The most desirable vacation homes are reserved very early. Booking your vacation property six to twelve months before your vacation dates is recommended. Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Years Eve are excellent times to plan and book your vacation rental.
• Active Duty and veterans of the US Armed forces may be qualified for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective property manager or host whether your vacationing group qualifies for a reduced rate.
• Management companies and individual rental owners typically offer renters an option to add vacation insurance. Trip insurance, which costs between 1% - 5% of the stay price, offers visitors reimbursement of costs for days missed as a result of medical-related catastrophes or weather disasters, as well as ensuing additional hurricane evacuation costs, such as an unexpected hotel overnight or extra gas expenses. Trip insurance can be a a welcome relief if the unforeseen happens. Ask your property manager for more information.
• Often, rental management companies and vacation rental houses supply Wilmington, NC area travel guides which will include special deals, either offered independently by local businesses, or through a relationship between the property management company and the business itself. You can also find Wilmington, NC visitors guide and coupon books at local gas stations and shopping centers.

Make a plan and choose yourrental home:

• Select a group leader, choose your vacation dates, and choose a budget.
• Determine how many beds and what type of bedroom configuration you need. The Cove - Houseboat Serenity has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
• Specific information about bedrooms and bed counts is normally available online. If you don't see them listed, contact the host before you reserve your rental. Note that most listings specify the maximum guest capacity, which usually includes pull out couches in living rooms.
• If there's a certain Wilmington, NC attraction you are crazy about, browse properties that are either nearby, or those that cater to your desires.
• Proper accessibility amenities can make or break a vacation for the less-mobile. Confirm all necessary amenities are available before reserving a rental
• Are you bringing the family pet? Although a number of vacation homes allow pets or animals, guidelines and costs vary per property. Type of pet, size and breeds may be limited. Remember to ask your host before booking, and study your rental agreement! Additional pet fees or charges may be applied to your agreement.

Some things to know before you go:

• Put the host's information in your smartphone and wallet.
• Record any damages to the rental during check in, and immediately e-mail them to the property manager. We specifically recommend texts and e-mails, as they usually contain time stamps that can be useful if damages are assessed.
• Ask questions. You may need instructions for a fireplace, elevator or washer/dryer. Contact your owner. They are there to help! A brief telephone call prevents lots of concerns.
• Be a good neighbor! You wouldn't like loud vacationers disrupting your home life. Employ the golden rule for best judgement. If they like you, locals might even recommend great restaurants and scenic spots you would've never otherwise known!
• Don't forget to... Ask a local! Residents can typically help. Who better to ask where to book the best tours, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for bird watching?
• Ensure you protect the property owner (and your things!) by locking and securing the home when you are out, just like you would back home.
• Double-check every room of the vacation property to confirm that you've packed all of your family's items at departure. Check bathrooms, dressers, and closets for hidden treasure. Remove everything from 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.
• Leave a review! Hosts rely on great feedback to propel future reservations. They'll be thankful for your review. Alternatively, if something wasn't as described, other vacationing families will will be grateful for your experience and help them have the best future vacation. Please be objective. If something fell short of expectations, consider whether the manager could control the issue, and if so, whether they responded expeditiously to solve it.