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3-star hotel Check-in 15:00 · Check-out 10:00

Water Street Retreats

Stay at Water Street Retreats in Wilmington, NC. Enjoy river views, free Wi-Fi, parking, and easy access to Battleship North Carolina and historic sites.

106 N Water St, Wilmington, NC 28401, United States View on map
8.4/10
Very Good Based on 99 recent guest reviews
Free Wi-Fi Free parking Accessible Air-conditioned Kid-friendly
What recent guests emphasize

Comfortable stay with prime location and scenic views

Guests appreciate the roomy, well-equipped apartments featuring river views and convenient access to downtown Wilmington's attractions, though parking arrangements and some entry logistics can require patience.

Guests often praise

  • Spacious, well-appointed apartments with fully stocked kitchens and comfortable furnishings.
  • Balconies offering beautiful views of the river and USS North Carolina.
  • Excellent central location within walking distance to shops, restaurants, and local landmarks.
  • Modern, clean bathrooms and quality amenities including air conditioning and in-unit washer/dryer.
  • Easy and straightforward check-in process for most guests, with helpful text communications.

Worth knowing

  • Parking is off-site about a quarter mile away; a nearby loading zone is available for short-term use but can be inconvenient with luggage.
  • Some guests found the keyless entry lock system less secure or a bit tricky to operate.
  • Check-in times are fixed and access codes are only provided shortly before arrival, which may cause stress for some travelers.
  • There is no onsite breakfast, restaurant, pool, or fitness center, so guests should plan accordingly.
  • The accommodation is not pet-friendly but welcomes families with children.

Best for

  • Couples and anniversary travelers seeking a laid-back, scenic stay in downtown Wilmington.
  • Visitors who want a home-like environment with kitchen facilities and modern comforts.
  • Guests who prioritize walkability to historic sites, dining, and entertainment options.
  • Families looking for kid-friendly lodging in a smoke-free setting.
  • Travelers comfortable with using nearby parking and self-managed check-in procedures.
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About this property

Welcome to Water Street Retreats

Water Street Retreats offers a laid-back extended stay experience in downtown Wilmington, NC, featuring relaxed apartment-style accommodations. Many units include balconies with scenic river views, providing a peaceful retreat above the bustling streets below. The interiors are thoughtfully equipped with full kitchens, modern bathrooms, and comfortable living spaces, supporting both short and longer stays. Guests have appreciated amenities such as free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and free parking, though parking requires a short walk as it is not located on-site.

Located at 106 N Water St, the property is situated within a lively historic district known for its Riverwalk promenade, craft beer bars, and diverse dining options. Several nearby attractions include the Battleship North Carolina, Bellamy Mansion Museum, and Cape Fear Museum of History and Science, all within easy reach. Visitors enjoy the walkability to shops and entertainment, as well as close proximity to Wilmington International Airport, about 15 minutes away by car.

Guest reviews highlight the convenience of the location and the comfort of the accommodations, particularly praising the spacious layouts and riverfront balconies. Some have noted minor challenges with parking logistics and the contactless check-in process, which occasionally caused confusion. Nonetheless, the majority find Water Street Retreats suitable for couples, extended visitors, or anyone seeking a home-like setting in the heart of the city without on-site dining options or fitness facilities.

While the property does not offer a pool, restaurant, or pet-friendly accommodations, its smoke-free environment and family-friendly aspects make it a practical choice for guests prioritizing location and self-sufficiency. Nearby food spots like Bagels on Pointe add convenience without needing to venture far. Overall, the hotel fits well for travelers valuing comfort and autonomy in a vibrant urban setting.

Summary compiled by GoHotelly editors from verified guest reviews, partner descriptions and editorial notes.
Facilities & essentials

What's on-site and what you should know before you arrive

The short version: what's available day-to-day, and the key practical details most travelers search for.

Most popular facilities

Free Wi-Fi
Free parking
Accessible
Air-conditioned
Kid-friendly
Kitchen in all rooms
Airport shuttle
Smoke-free

Not available at this property

Breakfast
Pool
Pet-friendly
Restaurant
Fitness center
Verified guest reviews

What recent guests are actually saying

Reviews from travelers who stayed here in the last 12 months, grouped to help you spot the pattern quickly.

SC
Sabrina Cleveland Apr 18, 2026
10

My husband and I spent our anniversary here last fall and oh my goodness, I felt like a queen. It doesn’t look like much from the outside - in fact, sketchy comes to mind - but don’t judge your vacay but the exterior! No ma’am! The views, the walkable proximity to absolutely everything, the inside was simply adorable and comfortable and honey, those porches! *chefs kiss* I look forward to another anniversary at the Water Street Retreats!

SW
Scott Woody Apr 04, 2026
10

I had the opportunity to go to Wilmington for some training. The Water Street retreat was close to our training center and provided great accommodations in the downtown area. In the evening everything was in a walkable distance to shops, great restaurants, and a quaint Irish pub. Each day I was greeted with a beautiful view of the USS North Carolina. I plan to bring my wife here for our anniversary getaway. Thank you for a great experience! Some reviews mentioned that they had problems with contactless check in by text messages. I have used Airbnb before and I found the texts to be informative and helpful.

HB
Holly Brazell Mar 15, 2026
10

We absolutely loved staying at Water Street Retreats!!!! There is nothing about the condo we didn't like. The Bedroom had a very comfortable mattress that made sleeping a charm. The Bathroom was clean, modern and had the amenities of a hotel. The Kitchen was fully stocked with cookware, dinnerware and glassware. The even had a Keurig and coffee! The Living Room was comfortable and the TV was modern. The spacious balcony had amazing views of the river and the USS NC. We even got to hear a live band do a concert on the Riverfront! All of the cool shops, bars and restaurants are within walking distance. The beaches are a short car ride away. Overall, THIS is the place to stay in Wilmington! We have already planned a return trip for September!

MO
Mike O'Connor Mar 11, 2026
10

We spent four nights here and really enjoyed it. The location is great as is the view from the balcony. We loved how it was setup with a living room/kitchen and a separate bedroom. The washer and dryer was a nice bonus. No problems checking in or out. Parking was a short walk away, but there was a loading zone right next to the building that we could use for 15 minutes.

CH
Christopher Huckaby Mar 04, 2026
10

Easy check in and check out. Minimal self cleanup in order to alleviate from a cleaning charge. Beautiful views of the river and walking distance to everything around front St. The only reason I can't do five stars across the board was the parking. It isn't on site and located about a quarter mile away. Which is fine as the building has a loading zone... But if that loading zone is being used, you'll have to walk the distance with your luggage which is kind of weird while there are so many people in the street. Great place and I will be coming back again for sure.

KL
Katelyn Leccese Feb 12, 2026
10

The location of this condo could not be better. Right in the middle of everything downtown and with a beautiful balcony view. We were shocked at the size of the condo. It was much bigger then expected. The amenities provided allowed us to have a more comfortable experience. This condo exceeded our expectations and we will definitely stay here on our next trip down to Wilmington. We highly recommend staying here if you are in town for a couple days

TK
Tabatha Knight Jan 26, 2026
8.0

We reserved condo #7 which was on the 2nd floor just off the elevator. I was nervous about check in because we traveled 6 hours to this destination. The owner would not provide the room code until 2:00pm when our check in was 3:00pm this stressed me out during the drive. However we did get a text around 2:00pm with the code. Check in was easy. We had 4 adults we pulled into the loading zone. There was not any hotel luggage carrier so we had to make do. Two people loaded all the bags into the elevator and took them to the room while the other two adults drove down to the parking deck. We discovered on the 3rd day there is a shortcut to and from the parking deck. If you walk up Princess and turn right onto N. Front St. just past the first building there is an alley way that takes you directly over to the parking deck. This saves us a lot of walking. We also learned there is a Dollar General named DQ Max on the other side of the Steakhouse which is just across the street from the retreat building. This was a go to for snacks, alcohol and forgotten items. The location is absolutely beautiful. The battleship is right across the water and the river walk is cute and peaceful. There are SO many shops and restaurants nearby. Our favorite was the restaurant located inside Embassy Suites down at the end of the River Walk. The steak and crab cakes were really yummy. It is upscale and a beautiful dining experience right next to the water.

CB
Cody Brown Jan 07, 2026
8.0

Amazing location, check in and out was easy, the lock on for the room was a little wonky could use some work as the door did not feel all the secure, the room felt clean and had everything you would need, perfect view from the balcony. Not a big fan of the parking situation wish they could work something out where the parking on-site could be used, the bed was not comfortable being memory foam it sinks down real quick and basically sleeping on the frame, and the TV in the bedroom we couldn't get it to work right. As well advertised there is an Xbox one in the room, there was not one in there, not a deal breaker by any means but being advertised and not available is a bit of a let down. Last issue was the emails when booking say you can request a late check out the day before check out for $35 day of $45 when we inquired we were told it has to be done before check in (even though I did inquire before we actually checked in ) Over all it was a very nice stay and we would stay again when in town

Location & neighborhood

Where you'll find Water Street Retreats

Wilmington, North Carolina, USA

Busy area with historic buildings, Riverwalk promenade, craft beer spots & an eclectic dining scene.

  • 3rd St SB at Chestnut St 6 min Walk
  • 3rd St NB at Dock St 11 min Walk
  • 3rd St NB at Chestnut St 7 min Walk
  • Wilmington International Airport 15 min Car · 47 min Transit
  • Albert J Ellis Airport 1 hr 8 Car
Things to do nearby

Worth the walk or a quick ride

Curated spots travelers usually pair with a stay in North Carolina. Distances are rough real-world times, not straight-line.

Battleship North Carolina 12,086 reviews

Battleship North Carolina

1 Battleship Rd NE, Wilmington, NC 28401, United States

4.8 · History Museum
Bellamy Mansion Museum 1,090 reviews

Bellamy Mansion Museum

503 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28401, United States

4.6 · Local History Museum
Cape Fear Museum of History and Science 245 reviews

Cape Fear Museum of History and Science

230 Grace St, Wilmington, NC 28401, United States

4.7 · Museum
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