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Pet Friendly Floating Villa - Inspiration at The Cove - Downtown Wilmington

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February 2025

Photo gallery for Pet Friendly Floating Villa - Inspiration at The Cove - Downtown Wilmington

Terrace/patio
Outdoor dining
2 bedrooms, free WiFi, bed sheets
Dining
Shower, hair dryer, towels, soap

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire house boat

2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Washer
  • Air conditioning
  • Kitchen
  • Dryer

Explore the area

Map
Wilmington, NC
  • Riverwalk
    1 min walk
  • Marina Grill
    1 min walk
  • Laura W. Padgett Bus Station
    12 min walk
  • Wilmington, NC (ILM-Wilmington Intl.)
    6 min drive

Room options

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4.9 out of 5, Exceptional, (34)
The price is €429
for 1 night
includes taxes & fees
5 Jan - 6 Jan
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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.

Pet Friendly Floating Villa - Inspiration at The Cove - 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 (1 spot per villa) and making the 5 minute stroll down onto the docks of the Port City Marina, you’ll arrive at The Cove. 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!
During your stay at this houseboat, you're just a quick walk from Riverwalk. You'll find features such as a water park.
  • Free WiFi
  • Splash around at the water park
  • Steps from Riverwalk and 5 minutes on foot from Live Oak Bank Pavilion
Pet Friendly Floating Villa - Inspiration at The Cove - Downtown Wilmington offers its guests a water park.

This Wilmington houseboat is smoke free.

Property manager

Erin Robinson

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the accommodation: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Hob
  • Ice maker
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

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

Living spaces

  • Dining table

Entertainment

  • Smart TV

Laundry

  • Laundromat nearby
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming dogs only
  • 2 pets total

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Location highlights

  • In the city centre
  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near the marina
  • On a river
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Water park
  • Basketball nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming 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 (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher

Policies

Check-in

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

Check-out

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

Special check-in instructions

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

Pets

  • Pets are welcome
  • Only dogs are allowed
  • Maximum 2 pets
    • Service animals are exempt from fees.

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
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 and a first aid kit
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
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, which will enable you to manage your booking.

Pet Friendly Floating Villa - Inspiration at The Cove - Downtown Wilmington Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 19 out of 21 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 2 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

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Kristi F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Relaxing alternative
Inspiration had everything we needed to make it a comfy stay. Houseboat was pristine and stocked. Coffee on the deck in the morning was great way to start the day.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

8/10 Good

Emalie L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place to stay
Great property - our second visit. Would Stay again but attention was needed in upstairs shower- doubt it was cleaned, maybe rinsed but definitely not scrubbed. Bedrooms were warm at night so slept with room doors open. Would stay again. Luv luv luv the upstairs outdoor space. .
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gary G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Very Unique Experience
The houseboat experience was a first for our family and the location is well within walking distance of a lovely downtown. There are two issues that the host needs to be aware. We were a party of six and the sleeper did not have sheets, pillows, or blankets. Similarly, there were only 6 towels for our party during a 5 night stay. Laundry was available which made the towel supply workable.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

jane e.

Liked: Cleanliness
Very relaxing!
Everything we needed was walking distance. Beautiful sunsets!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Heather N.

Liked: Cleanliness
Restful stay on houseboat
Our recent stay at The Cove Floating Villa in Wilmington, NC, was a great experience, despite the challenges posed by an unexpected tropical storm. The property manager was regularly in touch to ensure we were safe and comfortable. This unique accommodation was comfortable, clean and modern. The amenities, such as a W&D, were much appreciated. We enjoyed a lot of time on the top deck, relaxing and enjoying the scenery. Located close to the boardwalk, we were close enough to walk to local restaurants and shops. A few restaurants that stood out were The Basics (everything!), Beer Barrio (pork tacos), the newly opened Dough House (pizza), and Quanto Basta (olive oil cake). Wilmington is very dog-friendly, as is The Cove, with many restaurants and bars happy to have pets on the patio. I highly recommend The Cove.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julia D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Spring Break 2024
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

Scott H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Neat experience.
Only two issues. The door would not lock. Was addressed immediately. Air was excellent except for the master which was 10-15 degrees warmer. Found it a bit difficult to sleep in warm. Otherwise, we really enjoyed this experience and walking to most everything we needed. Had great dining experiences. Our Host, Summer, was very attentive and helpful. Would definitely do again. Wish there was a pet friendly houseboat with a more expansive water view. The people watching on the river walk was fun. Thank you.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Linda H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Love love love the Villa
We had a really great time enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

crystal t.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Place
Had everything we needed for a comfortable stay. They explained parking and check in great so everything went smoothly. Will stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lori S., Commack, NY

Liked: Cleanliness
Happiness on the water
We loved the house boat and can’t wait to return.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Donna P.

Liked: Cleanliness
So cool
This place was so nice!! So cool on the water and great views!!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Samantha P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely place to just hang out
We had a memorable and fun stay for Thanksgiving with lovely weather. The upstairs deck and living room is the best. We absolutely loved it. I suffer with motion sickness and got a bit woozy so if you are prone do make sure to have your Dramamine with you and you will be all set
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Holly S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful accommodations and location!
Beautiful property and accessible to great restaurants.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tammy T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect!
We absolutely love staying here! We appreciate all the extras and the decor is outstanding!!! We can't wait for our next trip! Thank you!
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Teresa B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Absolutely Beautiful
We needed to get away and wanted something different. This was perfect. The pictures do not do it justice. Inspiration at The Cove was like something out of a magazine. From having wine on the deck overlooking the Riverwalk to just relaxing inside was just what we needed. The furniture is both beautiful and comfortable. The gentle movement of the water was so relaxing. We even experienced a tropical storm and felt totally safe. We will definitely go back.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Chris F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent spot
Place was great alll the way around.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lisa W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful stay!
My family and I stayed 4 nights in this wonderful floating villa over July 4th weekend. We found it to be beautifully decorated, very comfortable, and surprisingly spacious. The unit itself is new so everything in it is brand new at this point. The kitchen was well stocked with everything we needed from paper products, dish and dishwasher detergents to all the pots/pans, dishes and utensils you could possibly need (including a pizza cutter!). The beds were very comfortable and the bathrooms were roomy and well stocked with shampoo, conditioner, hand soaps and soft towels. We enjoyed relaxing on the top deck that had comfortable seating and provided shade throughout the day and evening. (Note: this villa overlooks the Riverwalk and Embassy Suites hotel). The location is within a 0.5 mile walk to downtown Wilmington (either walk on the Riverwalk or along Front St.) to find great restaurants and shops. We enjoyed the Marina Grill restaurant at the end of the pier (2 minute walk) and the live bands that were playing on the pier both Friday and Saturday nights that we were there. We had a few questions during our stay and Marcia responded very quickly and was extremely helpful. Overall, it was a very pleasant stay and the host and staff were attentive and dedicated to ensuring our stay was a 5 star experience.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lindsay W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice place!
We enjoyed staying on the house boat. It’s an easy walk to Live Oak Pavilion to see a concert. We could walk to Front street for a good breakfast the next morning too. There was plenty of room for us, and bathrooms were big too. We enjoyed the upper balcony space off the den on the water. We would stay there again for sure! Cute furnishings too.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kat Y.

Liked: Cleanliness
What a Blast!
This was one of the coolest, most fun vacation homes we’ve ever stayed in. What could be better than a vacation rental that is literally floating in the harbor! Spectacular views, especially the sunset. The Cove is fairly new I believe. Excellent communication from our host. Easy directions! Had slight trouble with the key to get in but if you wiggle it a bit and remain patient, you’ll be inside this adorable, super clean, very well appointed, floating gem! Decor was simple but classy. We did not use the kitchen for meals but it’s very well stocked. Coffee and creamers were provided by the host. The bed linens were so comfortable … 5 star hotel comfort … and the bath towels etc were plush. I’ve already recommended The Cove to family and friends and we will definitely be back!!!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Patricia F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Enjoyable
Beautiful location
Stayed 1 night in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Scott C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Heavenly Stay
Being in this beautiful new houseboat was next level relaxing. Things worked great! Check in was flawless. Host was amazing. Do yourself a favor and stay here. Thank me later.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023