House boat

Sanctuary at The Cove - Downtown - Nextdoor to Wilm Convention Center

Photo gallery for Sanctuary at The Cove - Downtown - Nextdoor to Wilm Convention Center

Second floor private patio
Second floor living room with pullout sofa bed
Private patio overlooking Port City Marina
Full kitchen
Second floor bathroom attached to second floor bedroom

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6111.5 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Hot tub
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Air conditioning
  • Kitchen

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

Living Room 1

1 Double Sofa Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Dining area

About this property

Sanctuary at The Cove - Downtown - Nextdoor to Wilm Convention Center

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 (1 spot per villa) 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:
As you make your way upstairs, you'll discover another large living space with a 55" 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
Premier Host

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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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
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 that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Wilmington

Located on the waterfront, this houseboat is in Downtown Wilmington, a neighbourhood in Wilmington. Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Wilmington Railroad Museum and Children's Museum of Wilmington. Carolina Heights and Cape Fear Museum are also worth visiting. With waterskiing, water tubing and power boating nearby, you'll find plenty of adventures in the water.
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 - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪Cape Fear Wine and Beer - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪Marina Grill - ‬1 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Sanctuary at The Cove - Downtown - Nextdoor to Wilm Convention Center pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Sanctuary at The Cove - Downtown - Nextdoor to Wilm Convention Center?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Sanctuary at The Cove - Downtown - Nextdoor to Wilm Convention Center?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Sanctuary at The Cove - Downtown - Nextdoor to Wilm Convention Center located?

Located in Downtown Wilmington, this houseboat is within a 5-minute walk of Riverwalk and Live Oak Bank Pavilion. Wilmington Convention Center and Wilmington Railroad Museum are also within 10 minutes.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 7 out of 7 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 7 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 7 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 7 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 7 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Donald P.

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

Running friends

Impressive place to get real taste of Wilmington
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nancy C.

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

Christmas riverwalk . Wilson concert trip

The location was excellent for what we wanted to do. Houseboat was spacious, clean , decorated for the holidays Our 3 day stay was great.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Karen D.

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

Awesome stay!

Lovely property on the water. Incredible views. Responsible host. Beautiful decor. Clean as a whistle. What more could you ask for?
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kellie P.

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

Perfect setting!

Come relax on the upper deck and enjoy a great villa on the water. Close to everything but quite when you get home!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Angie K.

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

AMAZING in every way

This listing is exactly as advertised and the quality of the houseboat construction is stellar. The location is fabulous and all interactions with the house were first class. I truly can’t wait to go back.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Abby P.

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

Perfect Weekend Get Away!

We enjoyed our stay at The Cove Sanctuary 8. The house was very clean and beautifully decorated. House was very well stocked with all the essentials. 10-15 minute walk to downtown nightlife and several great restaurants. Marina has a couple new restaurants that are less than a 5 minute walk from The Cove. The marina is very quiet and peaceful during the day and evenings. Wilmington is a charming little town with lots to offer. This is the perfect romantic weekend getaway, family weekend or girls trip. Highly Recommend!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tonio J.

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

Quick weekend staycation

We rented it for a weekend staycation and loved the mini neighborhood of houseboats.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

About the host

Hosted by Erin Robinson

Host profile image

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests