Andrea has a well situated place in San Marco very close to the main attractions. It is up some stairs but you'll be hard pressed to find a place without stairs in Venice.
Rather than paying very good money for a short gondola ride you could pay much less for a 12, 24, ... hour ticket allowing you to take as many vaporetti (ferry) rides along the Grand Canal and to the islands as you wish within the time period. Absolutely fantastic.
Thanks Andrea.