My group of 5 friends had a lovely stay at the canal apartment. It had a very European charm that thrilled everyone, though there were admittedly some flaws, such as the heater not working and the dishes in the cupboard being a bit dirty. The pillows were also awful, but subsequent stays in Italy indicates that the style of pillow is just popular there.
The location was ideal, quite yet central. It was relatively easy to find (nothing in Venice is truly easy to find).
Communication with the host was terrible, but the agency that actually managed the apartment was fairly responsive.
We were happy with our booking choice and would consider it again should we return to Venice.