The Cove - Houseboat Oasis - Vacation rental home in Wilmington, NC

About this Property

• Sleeps 6
• 2 Bedrooms
• 2 Bathrooms
• Private vacation home

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.

The space

After parking in our complimentary lot 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 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, huge 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, and a handsome 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, enormous 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 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.

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 adore to have you Stay Afloat!

About the Area

Located on the waterfront, this vacation home is in Downtown Wilmington, a neighborhood in Wilmington. Live Oak Bank Pavilion and Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Children's Museum of Wilmington and Magnolia Greens Golf Plantation. Wilmington Railroad Museum and Carolina Heights are also worth visiting. With kayaking, motor boating, and sailing 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

Getting the best Brunswick area rental home experience:

Sticking to your budget:

• Book your rental as early as possible. Rental schedules usually open 12 months in advance (or in September just after Summertime ends). Many families book their Summer vacations during holiday get-togethers. Reserve before these holidays for best selection.
• Summer time is high season in Wilmington. Booking a rental in the Spring or Fall is a good way to save on your vacation rental. Rates are lower, and you'll find a better selection of suitable homes. Many vacationers use this method to find larger homes within budget, or to book a beach front rental that would otherwise be unavailable during the Summer. Speaking of the off-season, don't overlook the holidays for a Brunswick area vacation! Who wouldn't love a holiday on the coast? Thanksgiving and Christmas are great times to gather with loved ones at the beach.
• Owners sometimes offer rate reductions for veterans and active duty military. Ask your host or property manager if discounts are available for your family before you book.
• Property managers often offer customers an option to obtain vacation insurance protection. Trip insurance, which normally will cost you between 1% - 5% of the base stay price, offers visitors reimbursement of costs for missed trip time as a result of medical-related catastrophes or weather disasters, as well as evacuation costs, such as an unanticipated hotel stay or extra gasoline expenses. Trip insurance can be a a bank account-saver if the unforeseen occurs. Ask your property manager for program terms and fees.
• Find a copy of your local visitors guide upon arrival. If your rental home doesn't have one, you can find them at local grocery stores and visitor centers. In addition to great local stories, visitor guide magazines have coupons for local shops and restaurants.

Choosing the best vacation home in Wilmington:

• First and foremost, have your family agree to dates and a max budget.
• Determine how many beds and the bed configuration you need. The Cove - Houseboat Oasis has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
• Specific descriptions of bedrooms and bed counts & types is usually available online. If they are not listed, call the property management company before you reserve the vacation property. Note that most listings specify maximum guest capacity, which oftentimes includes sofa beds and bunks.
• If your group is vacationing with pets, you must reserve a pet-friendly vacation rental. Ask for specifics on breed, size, and type restrictions. Note that some property owners charge pet deposits and fees.
• Are you visiting for a specific event or attraction? If so, use a map search to browse nearby rentals.
• Proper accessibility can make or break a vacation for guests that require the use of a wheelchair. Remember to confirm all required amenities are available before reserving a rental

Advice for your stay:

• Review check in & check out procedures before traveling. Take a printed copy, and add a note with the instructions to your phone.
• Property managers are great sources of help! Don't be shy to ask questions before, during, or after your stay.
• Lock your vacation home while you are away. Protect the owner's property and your things!
• To make certain that no damages are linked to your visit, make a record of any problem areas during arrival. Speak to the host right away to report any pre-existing damages. If there is a dispute about who is responsible, having a record of problems and contact attempts will be very helpful.
• Be a good neighbor! You wouldn't like unpleasant visitors disrupting your peaceful home life. Employ the golden rule for common sense. Happy residents may even recommend great local food and attractions you would've not otherwise known!
• Don't forget to... Ask a local resident! Locals can often help you find the best spots in town. Who better to ask where to rent beach equipment, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for BBQ?
• Re-check the property to confirm that you've packed all personal items on check-out day. Re-check bathrooms, dressers, and closets for hidden treasure. 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.
• Leave a review! Property owners rely on excellent ratings to stimulate more reservations. They'll be much obliged for your feedback. Alternatively, if something went wrong, other vacationing families will appreciate that you share your feedback and help them have the best future vacation. Be fair with your review. If something fell short of expectations, consider whether the property manager had any control over the issue, and if so, whether they responded expeditiously to solve it.