This was our first experience with airbnb and we are sold! The place is exactly as described -- except better: the bedrooms were huge; the kitchen worked wonderfully and came equipped with a Nespresso maker and the pods for early coffee; the decor was modern and had lovely decorative touches. Things were comfortable and with the contrast of modern furnishings and the tall ceilings and break walls and shuttered windows -- the perfect start to our trip. Watching the gondolas go by the window while taking a break in this incredible and well located apartment was also a treat.

Elisabetta provided detailed instructions on how to get from the airport to our meeting place (and we arrived fairly late on a Sunday evening); met us as planned and took us to the apartment, giving us advice on everything from restaurants to the transport passes to how long to allow to get to the train station (and when to buy the passes to maximize value).

And this place is perhaps all of five minutes (at a stroll) from San Marcos Square -- I had taken the "centrally located" description as likely poetic license but it is absolutely true. All in all, all four of us were sold on airbnb and in particular this apartment and our hostess.