Top 10% of guest reviews in this areaTop 10% of guest reviews in this area
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Air conditioning
Barbecue grill
Water view
Explore the area
Wilmington, NC
Riverwalk
Place, Riverwalk
1 min walk
Live Oak Bank Pavilion
Place, Live Oak Bank Pavilion
4 min walk
Wilmington Convention Center
Place, Wilmington Convention Center
6 min walk
Wilmington, NC (ILM-Wilmington Intl.)
Airport, Wilmington, NC (ILM-Wilmington Intl.)
5 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
Toilet · Shower only
Bathroom 2
Toilet · Shower only
Spaces
Kitchen
Office
Balcony
Number of living rooms
About this property
Escape @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas
Summary:
Welcome to The Cove Riverwalk Villas, Wilmington’s most unique vacation rental community!
Escape stands as your perfect waterfront retreat, ideally situated at the halfway point of the dock. Offering both convenience and picturesque views, the upstairs living room is designed for versatility with a cozy sofa bed and a functional desk. As the sun sets over the marina, the back patio provides the perfect vantage point to savor the stunning sunsets, creating a memorable and tranquil escape.
The Space:
Escape is located at slip #20, halfway down the dock on the marina side.
Full kitchen stocked with everything you could need to prepare a great meal. Complimentary local coffee, creamer, and sugar, are provided alongside a drip coffee maker.
First floor bedroom with Queen size bed, large closet, ceiling fan, and 40” Smart TV
Two full bathrooms, one on each floor, with walk-in showers. Complimentary hand soap, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash are provided, along with bath and hand towels, wash cloths, and make-up towels.
Second floor bedroom with King sized bed, large closet, dresser, ceiling fan, and 55” Smart TV
First floor open concept living and dining room, featuring dining table with four seats, three bar stools along the kitchen island, cozy couch and arm chairs.
Second floor living room featuring a pull-out sofa, 55” Smart TV, and a beautiful view of the Cape Fear River through the sliding glass doors. A dedicated workspace allows you the work-from-home space of your dreams.
Large patio on second floor featuring an outdoor bar with a mini fridge and sink 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.
Guest Access:
Guests will have access to the entire villa for the duration of their stay.
The Neighborhood:
The Cove is located in Port City Marina (PCM), a top-tier, gated, full-service marina offering over 200 cutting-edge floating concrete wet slips. Situated on the picturesque Cape Fear River, PCM is a haven for both transient boaters and our esteemed residents enjoying the luxury of our permanent floating villas.
Our state-of-the-art dock hosts all 40 of our exquisite villas, boasting thoughtfully designed angled slips, picturesque landscaping, and a welcoming community space at the dock's end.
PCM's prime location on the along the award-winning Riverwalk grants boaters and villa guests unparalleled access to the vibrant Downtown Wilmington scene. Indulge in the city's rich cultural offerings, savor delectable dining experiences, and immerse yourself in the vibrant arts and entertainment scene, all just steps away from our marina.
Getting Around:
Parking is available for one vehicle per villa in an off-site parking garage. The parking garage is located about a 5-7 minute walk from the Marina, so we recommend packing in suitcases with wheels, bringing a foldable cart if you have one. We often get unexpected rain showers on the coast, so we also recommend packing an umbrella or rain jacket.
Other Things to Note:
Welcome to The Cove Riverwalk Villas —your perfect getaway in Downtown Wilmington! We're just steps from Port City Marina and the Wilmington Convention Center, and one block from The Wilson Center and Live Oak Bank Pavilion, so you can skip the parking stress and event traffic. Who needs a designated driver when you’re this close to the action?
We're excited to share that The Cove is growing! As part of our expansion, you may notice some changes to the views from certain villas. We do our best to keep our photos current, but given the pace of construction, updates may not always reflect the latest changes.
Please note that our north-facing villas, which have previously enjoyed marina views, will now overlook our community along B Dock. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility, and we look forward to welcoming you as The Cove continues to evolve into something even better!
Historic Downtown Wilmington is less than a mile away, with tons of shops, restaurants, breweries, and live music. Get there on foot, hop on the free trolley, or take a quick drive—either way, fun is just around the corner! For the inside scoop on local hotspots and events, check out our Guidebook or visit "Wilmington and Beaches" online.
Need to catch a flight or hit the beach? Wilmington International Airport (ILM) is only 8 minutes away, and Wrightsville Beach, Jungle Rapids, and UNCW are all within a 10-mile radius.
Bringing your boat? Our friends at Port City Marina would love to rent you a slip—just reach out to them directly and let the good times roll!
The unique charm of The Cove comes from its prime position atop the Cape Fear River. Here in Wilmington, you might encounter a local 'water bug' or ‘palmetto bug’. While their visits are rare thanks to our rigorous cleanliness standards, these occasional guests are simply part of riverside living. Rest assured, we continuously strive to minimize their appearances and appreciate your understanding.
Parking for The Cove is conveniently located in a nearby garage approximately 0.3 miles from the dock. The garage offers 24/7 in/out access and is equipped with an elevator for easy loading and unloading. Parking for one vehicle per reservation is included, with additional parking available at daily rates set by the garage.
While the garage is close, guests should be aware that there is a 5–7 minute walk to the dock due to our marina setting. Rolling luggage is highly recommended, and bringing a cart or wagon can be helpful. A limited number of wagons are available for guest use at our on-site office on a first-come, first-serve basis.
If this villa’s booked, no worries - send us a message and we can help you find another date or villa that suits your needs. We would love to have you Stay Afloat!
@thecove_wilmington
Please note: A separate rental agreement is required to be signed within 48 hours of booking. This agreement provides important property specific rules and regulations in compliance with the North Carolina Vacation Rental Act and can be reviewed in advance upon request.
Interaction with Guests:
Our office is located at Slip #1. A team member is typically available on-site daily from 10am-5pm for guest assistance. If there is no one on-site, you can also reach us through the messaging option on your booking site and someone will get back to you as quickly as possible.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.
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Be mindful of your surroundings, considerate of your neighbors & respectful of the river.
Walk Only Zone: For safety reasons, the dock is a walk-o...
-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
Property # 3276517
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
Host has indicated there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
About the neighborhood
Wilmington
Located on the waterfront, this houseboat is in Downtown Wilmington, a neighborhood in Wilmington. Live Oak Bank Pavilion and Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College are cultural highlights, and travelers 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 Legion Stadium or Trask Coliseum.
Wilmington Convention Center - 6 min walk - 0.5 km
Cape Fear Community College - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College - 7 min walk - 0.7 km
Getting around
Wilmington Intl. Airport (ILM) - 6 min drive
Restaurants
Brunch Thyme - 11 min walk
Copper Penny - 15 min walk
The Half - 16 min walk
Eagle's Dare - 14 min walk
Java Dog Coffee House - 12 min walk
Frequently asked questions
Is Escape @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Escape @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas?
As of May 12, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Escape @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas on May 13, 2026 start from $429, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
What time is check-in at Escape @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Escape @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas?
Check-out is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Escape @ The Cove Riverwalk Villas located?
Located in Downtown Wilmington, this houseboat is steps from Riverwalk and Riverfront Park. Live Oak Bank Pavilion 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 labeled.
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.
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;)
This was our first trip to Wilmington and staying in this floating villa made the trip fabulous. The villas are lined up on both sides of a dock so when you are walking down the dock, it looks like you are in a little village. So cute! Our villa was spotless and beautifully decorated. We felt very safe here. You’re at one end of the marina so your view is beautiful. The communication was excellent throughout, and check-in was a breeze. The day you are to arrive they send you the door code so you go straight to your villa, you don’t need to stop in the office at all. You are right on the Riverwalk so getting to various restaurants is very easy. We are already looking forward to trying it again in the spring. This is definitely the most unique place we have ever stayed. I had wondered how much motion we would feel from the water but it was almost nonexistent. We loved it!
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!