This is a great location in the center of everything and yet away from the crowds. We took private water taxi from the airport to the exact platform described by Andrea. (Cost euro 130, an affordable extravagance). Then only a few steps to the apartment. A previous reviewer mentioned landmarking the Duodo Palace hotel, which we did, this helped immensely, and google maps has both walking and boating (vaporetto ) directions. Both San Marco and Rialto are an easy 10 minute walk away.
Found the nearby market easily on our own. (Punto Simply is the name I believe). The greatest thing about staying here is getting out early in the morning to see Venice as a native does. We loved listening to the singing gondoliers but kept the windows closed due to bugs except to listen once in a while.
There is indeed 24 hour boat traffic in the canals so expect an early wake-up but this is true everywhere I think. Anyway our friends stayed in some 5* hotel on the grand canal but I think we got the better deal.
Thanks Andrea! Hope to see you again!