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The Cove - Houseboat Tranquility

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December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for The Cove - Houseboat Tranquility

Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Terrace/patio
Interior
Smart TV
Marina

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire house boat

2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6111 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Washer
    Washer
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
    Air conditioning
  • Dryer
    Dryer
  • Outdoor space
    Outdoor space

Explore the area

Map
Wilmington, NC
  • Riverwalk
    1 min walk
  • Live Oak Bank Pavilion
    5 min walk
  • Cape Fear Community College
    9 min walk
  • Wilmington, NC (ILM-Wilmington Intl.)
    6 min drive

Room options

About the area

Wilmington

Downtown Wilmington stay.At this Downtown Wilmington houseboat, you'll be within a 5-minute walk of Riverwalk and Live Oak Bank Pavilion. Cape Fear Community College and Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College are also within half a mile (1 km).
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What's nearby

  • Riverwalk - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Live Oak Bank Pavilion - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Cape Fear Community College - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Wilmington Convention Center - 11 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Battleship North Carolina - 5 min drive - 4.3 km

Getting around

  • Wilmington Intl. Airport (ILM) - 6 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Half - ‬16 min walk
  • ‪Mellow Mushroom Wilmington - Downtown - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪Edward Teach Brewing - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪Cape Fear Wine and Beer - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪Marina Grill - ‬1 min walk

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire house boat to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

The Cove - Houseboat Tranquility

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.

@thecove_wilmington (IG/FB/TT)

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.

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 love to have you Stay Afloat!

Property manager

Erin Robinson

Property amenities

Internet

  • Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Electric car charging station on site
  • Onsite parking

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator (mini)
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Kitchen island
  • Ice maker
  • Coffee/tea maker

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathrooms

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Shower
  • Shampoo
  • Toilet paper
  • Hair dryer
  • Towels provided
  • Soap

Living spaces

  • Living room
  • Dining room

Entertainment

  • Smart TV

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Dock

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Desk chair

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Ceiling fan
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Guidebooks/recommendations

Location highlights

  • On the river
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Marina nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Unit size: 1200 sq ft (111 sq m)

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business. Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited. Long-term renters welcome. For guests' safety, the property includes a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock in each accommodation.

The Cove - Houseboat Tranquility Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 28 out of 28 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 28 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 28 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 28 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 28 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Dawn K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Loved it
The most unique accommodations with outstanding attention to detail and ensuring you had everything you would need. Great views. Great location. Highly recommend
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Marc H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing
Awesome place! Very clean and close to downtown.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tony S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Yolanda B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Nothing Short of Amazing
My family and I stayed here for my mom’s birthday weekend and it was absolutely amazing. Very peaceful and relaxing. Walking distance to a few restaurants and a short drive to many more. Our host was always in communication with us about things we needed to know and did so in a timely manner. The houseboats are close to each other but everyone was respectful of their neighbors. We will definitely be returning in the near future. Great experience!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mike C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Local Staycation
Incredible and very cool
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ginger G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Surprisingly Quiet Location
We were reluctant to book this villa because my husband is sensitive to noise pollution and I'm sensitive to light pollution. Our friend's son, who lives nearby, convinced us that this location would be better than the hotel we had originally booked, so we decided to take a chance. We are so glad we did! It was such a great experience for our whole group. It is close enough to local restaurants and things to do that we didn't need our car the entire time we were there except to go to the beach. Communication with management was excellent from start to finish, including when we had an issue with someone who was smoking on an adjacent villa. They did confirm that smoking is not allowed anywhere on the pier, including on the decks. Clean-up was easy, we just had to start the dishwasher, take the trash and recycling out to the dumpster and put the towels in the hamper. We've already recommended these villas to friends and would absolutely stay here again. The only thing I would recommend to the owners are light blocking shades in the bedrooms and pull strings on a few of the taller shades on the bottom floor. It was awkward pulling them down and up given their location and how tall they are. If you don't like to walk, or have someone in your group who has difficulty doing so, I would not recommend staying here. There's a ramp leading down to the dock that rises and lowers depending on the tide and can be quite steep.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Andrew M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Relaxing. Nice walking location, shops and restaurants
Excellent. Very impressive.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amy V.

Liked: Cleanliness
Relaxing stay
The houseboat was clean and fully stocked. There was plenty of room for the two of us. We enjoyed the deck during the day. It was nice to walk to restaurants in the evening.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brooke C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Best Bachelorette!
We loved our stay!!! The boat was gorgeous, spacious, clean and had literally anything you might need! A bunch of gals on this trip and everyone one of us wants to book the boat to come back! The owner was simply great too!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Beth S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Son’s Wedding Weekend
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!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tracy P.

Liked: Cleanliness
The ultimate in tranquility
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.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sarah M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Dreamy and unique!
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!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sherri N.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful experience
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.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Katherine M.

Liked: Cleanliness
This place is lovely
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.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Katie H., Cary, NC

Liked: Cleanliness
Run course on a house boat!
Perfect location for IMNC right on the run course by t-2 clean, fun experience
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Laura K., NC, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautifully decorated houseboat!
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.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Melissa D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great stay!
The hosts were responsive, the place was wonderful and the location was awesome!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Great time had by all!
Beautiful property! Great communication with the host!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jorie D., Apex, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
We can’t wait to go back!
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.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rebekah K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Finally a clean place to stay
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!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Megan H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Mother/Daughter Weekend
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!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kelley D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Recharge
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.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Suzi P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful Vacation spot
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!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful experience
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 !
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tina K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing experience!
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!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023