House boat

Escape at The Cove - Luxury Floating Villa in Downtown Wilmington

Photo gallery for Escape at The Cove - Luxury Floating Villa in Downtown Wilmington

Private second floor patio
First floor living space
Front entryway
Full kitchen
First floor bedroom with Queen bed

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6111.5 sq m

Popular amenities

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

Explore the area

Map
Wilmington, NC
  • Riverwalk
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Live Oak Bank Pavilion
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Wilmington Convention Center
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Wilmington, NC (ILM-Wilmington Intl.)
    ‪6 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen

About this property

Escape at The Cove - Luxury Floating Villa in Downtown Wilmington

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 a sectional couch (with pull out sleeper), 60" Smart TV, desk and chair, 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
Premier Host

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
-No flushing of anything other than natural waste and septic safe toilet paper(provided) -Children younger than 12 must be accompanied 24/7 for safety
-Absolutely no swimming allowed - the current in the Cape Fear River is strong and dangerous -No smoking or illicit drugs allowed in the marina
-Failure to return the front door key upon check-out will result in a $300.00 fee

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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
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 not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

About the area

Wilmington

Downtown Wilmington, a neighbourhood in Wilmington, is home to this houseboat. Live Oak Bank Pavilion and Wilmington Railroad Museum are cultural highlights, and travellers looking to shop may want to visit The Cotton Exchange and Mayfaire Town Center. 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.
Map
Wilmington, NC

What's nearby

  • Riverwalk - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Live Oak Bank Pavilion - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Wilmington Convention Center - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Cape Fear Community College - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Battleship North Carolina - 5 min drive - 4.3 km

Getting around

  • Wilmington, NC (ILM-Wilmington Intl.) - 6 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Half - ‬16 min walk
  • ‪Mellow Mushroom Wilmington - Downtown - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪Edward Teach Brewing - ‬13 min walk
  • ‪Cape Fear Wine and Beer - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪Marina Grill - ‬1 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Escape at The Cove - Luxury Floating Villa in Downtown Wilmington pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Escape at The Cove - Luxury Floating Villa in Downtown Wilmington?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Escape at The Cove - Luxury Floating Villa in Downtown Wilmington?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Escape at The Cove - Luxury Floating Villa in Downtown Wilmington located?

Located in Downtown Wilmington, this houseboat is within a 10-minute walk of Riverwalk, Live Oak Bank Pavilion and Wilmington Convention Center. Wilmington Railroad Museum and Cape Fear Community College are also within 10 minutes.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 20 out of 21 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 21 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 21 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 21 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 21 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Steve M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent

This property is located in a beautiful location and close to downtown.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

David F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Super clean, fun spot

Great location, very cool home.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Stacey R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent visit!

We loved our stay and will definitely be back! Great views! Great location for walking along the river and to all of the shops and restaurants.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Molly L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Loved it!

Great location. We were in town for a show and loved the proximity. Walkability was perfect. We loved it! Thanks!
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Laura

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Being right on the water was wonderful and the place had everything we needed. Very clean and safe location.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Deanna C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful location

Very enjoyable. Great location and within walking distance to many restaurants.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Teri T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location, very nice people, gorgeous view

Perfect location with easy walking to downtown, restaurants, coffee, etc. Loved staying on a floating home. It was a fun experience, for sure!
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2024

8/10 Good

Jamie B.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice for a long weekend

Great
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jamie

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Amazing place. Definitely will come back
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

James K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A super nice place!

It is in a great location with excellent views and within walking distance of downtown Wilmington. The houseboat has a wonderful layout. We hope to visit again soon and stay for a longer period of time at the Cove.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

One tree hill

We had a group of ladies that came to Wilmington for the one tree hill event. It was a great time and the house boats are the best!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

lana w.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The Cove Houseboat

Immaculate, well stocked kitchen, spectacular views and very easy to communicate with owner.
Stayed 1 night in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Alys L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Convenient location, nice marina view

Enjoyable weekend on the water. Unique concept ! We will be back.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Scott P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Very Unique

The property was very clean and comfortable. Great set up and great location.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Keva N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful

Houseboat is beautifully decorated and the area is very peaceful! Would definitely come back!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Suzette F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing experience

Beautiful place and location! Only thing I would suggest is in the bedrooms a full length mirror would be awesome. Wish we could have stayed longer! We will definitely be back;)
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jason B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome place to stay for a concert

.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kelly J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Super Clean & Nice!

Owner was very helpful and messaged back quick. The boat was amazing. Super clean! Hoping to come back in Sept. perfect location!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Akiia J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Getaway

My husband, children and I enjoyed a 2-night stay. We LOVED the property and location. The property was clean, the kitchen was stocked appropriately with dishes and basic kitchen ware, and there is a full-size washer and dryer which would be a must if we had gone to the beach. I see this being useful if we decided to book a week-long stay or stay during beach season. Parking was simple, and coming and going was simple as well. We loved that there was no noise. I don't know if that's related-to when we visited (March 2024). Highly recommend to anyone who likes being on the water, and we can't wait to return when the weather is warmer!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Wj C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

About the host

Hosted by Erin Robinson

Host profile image

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests