Wilmington, North Carolina
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.
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The space
After parking in our free lot and making the 4 minute stroll 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 perfect mix of adventure, luxury and relaxation.
Upon entering your villa, you’ll notice the spacious 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 stocked with everything you need to make a great meal, you could actually host your next Thanksgiving here. Complementary coffee, creamer and sugar are provided, alongside a drip coffee maker.
Living Room 1:
If cooking isn't your idea of fun, you may be more drawn to the beautifully decorated downstairs living space, where you can relax on the cozy 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 provided 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, large closet, ceiling fan, 40" Smart TV, and access door to the quaint back patio; a great spot for some quiet reading or alone time.
Living Room 2 (Sofa bed):
As you make your way upstairs, you'll discover another large living space with cozy furniture (with pull out sleeper), 60" Smart 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 large patio featuring an outdoor bar (sink & mini fridge), and a variety of comfortable furniture options. This patio is a fan favorite for everything from morning coffee, afternoon reading, evening spirits, or enjoying a meal. In the Summer months, you'll often hear live music coming from Marina Grill, 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, large closet, ceiling fan & 55" Smart 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 perfect 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 free trolley, or drive a few blocks down Water Street, getting there is easy. With many local shops, restaurants, breweries, live music, and events, Downtown offers something for everyone to enjoy. Check out our Guidebook or "Wilmington and Beaches" online for recommendations and events.
Beyond the borders of Downtown, a quick 8 minute 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 love 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 love to have you Stay Afloat!
The place was awesome! Very clean! Had everything we needed! Was in within walking distance to shopping and eating in downtown Wilmington! :) Communication with Marcia was great! :) Peaceful atmosphere on the river!! Would definitely stay here again and recommend it to friends!
What a fabulous weekend! Our son got married at a nearby venue and we thought that we deserved a special stay on a houseboat in downtown Wilmington! We were not disappointed! Evenings were best, sitting outside looking at the reflection of lights on the river. We even laughed with our neighbors about our remote controlling their ceilings fan and lights! Would definitely recommend to a friend!
This was an amazing experience! The houseboat was awesome - even better than the pictures. All of the furnishings from floor rugs to bed linens were so soft and luxurious. The inside of the boat felt so peaceful and tranquil. The beds were incredibly comfortable. The kitchen was well-stocked with all the tools we needed for breakfast each morning. We spent a lot of time in the cozy upstairs living room. It was nice to look out the door and see water right there. We were a little concerned about the 4-minute walk to the houseboat in the VRBO listing, but it's a pleasant walk from the gravel parking lot down the sidewalk to the marina and then down through the marina to the boat. That was one of our favorite parts actually. And the dock is gated, which made us feel very secure. The check-in was super easy and came with helpful instructions so there was no guessing about where to park or how to get there. This section of downtown Wilmington was very peaceful and quiet. We saw a lot of walkers and dog walkers nearby. It is very close to restaurants and things to do and there's also a water taxi that runs in warmer months to get you closer to some of the restaurants by boat. The host was really kind and super fast to respond to our email. I was a bit worried about whether the boat would rock a lot. I do get motion sick, but it was fine. It moved some which was nice, but nothing dramatic. It was a relaxing and peaceful retreat for us and we will definitely be back.
We have never stayed at a boathouse before and absolutely loved our stay here! This property felt so inviting was beautifully decorated. We were pleasantly surprised the bed was comfortable which can be a bit of a gamble when you’re renting. Washer and dryer was a big plus. My only suggestion is for wider curtains downstairs as they do not cover the front sliding door completely when closed. You can still see people walking by. We have already shared the property with many of our friends and I would come back in the future!
My husband and I stayed here, and it could not have been a better choice. The property was in a great location, in perfect condition, and the owner was very attentive. The beds were very comfortable and the kitchen had everything we needed. We will definitely be coming back.
This place was absolutely perfect. Very clean and spacious. You cannot feel the boat rocking on the water. The upper deck is gorgeous with the water. This was a great trip. The property manager answered all my questions. Will definitely book again.
Perfect location for IMNC right on the run course by t-2 clean, fun experience
The houseboat is so comfortable- the beds, soft furnishings, back patio with nice view of the Cape Fear. Feels tucked away but at the same time right in the action and in walking distance of some yummy restaurants. Great communication with the property manager.
The hosts were responsive, the place was wonderful and the location was awesome!
Beautiful property! Great communication with the host!
We enjoyed our stay! It’s decorated beautifully. The location is the best in the marina, and it’s easy walking distance to restaurants, shops, and the amphitheater.
The villa river cove houseboat was an amazing and unique experience. When we arrived the instructions on how to get to the villa were very clear and easy. The villa smelled brand new. All furniture was comfortable. Kitchen well stocked. So many extras were provided which kept us from having to pack so much. Good communication with the owner. And it was clean!! Loved hearing the live bands on the riverfront at the marina. Toured the battleship and shopped down town. Romantic and cozy place to stay. We truly enjoyed it! Thanks so much for a great time!
My mom, sister, and I could not have asked for a better weekend together on the house boat. The home was stunning-beautifully decorated and exceptionally clean. It was very spacious and had everything we needed. Located just minutes from shopping, dining, and other activities made it even better. We appreciated the host always having quick and friendly communication with us. We hope to visit again soon!
This houseboat was amazing. Absolutely beautiful views, great location, well decorated with great furniture, comfy beds. Not one negative thing to say. Will stay there again.
Fantastic houseboat to stay in. Very relaxing. Best location, close to concerts, breakfast spots and dinner locations! Beautifully decorated, very clean! Can’t wait till we can book again!
We booked for a last minute staycation and had a wonderful time . The houseboat villa has everything you need and nothing you don’t . It was exceptionally clean and tidy , and communication with the property manager was a breeze ! My kids absolutely loved the experience and can’t wait to come back ! It’s a short walk up to Front street or to enjoy the river walk . Marina restaurant is also close by .we will absolutely book here again !
First visit to Wilmington…can’t wait to visit again! Such a unique experience, we absolutely loved the house boat. The location was fabulous and it was wonderful being on the riverwalk. Marcia was a phenomenal hostess from the excellent communication to the spotless amenities. Thank you for sharing your stunning boat with us! Will definitely stay here when we return!
Living on a boat for a week, especially a property as beautiful as this, was an incredible experience. This turns the whole idea of a houseboat on its head, as this was a spacious, beautiful decorated property that made me wish we could stay longer.
Beautiful property and excellent location. We enjoyed the space for a much needed girls getaway, but you could also thoroughly enjoy the space for a romantic getaway. Communication throughout was outstanding! Spacious & luxurious just as displayed in photos.
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Includes taxes and fees