The best things about staying at Mara and Fer's place (apart from Venice itself of course) was the unexpected kindness in meeting me at the airport, the quiet apartment in a quiet street, good WiFi connection and the proximity of a large supermarket and the tram service into central Venice.
I missed the small practical amenities (disposables like liquid soap, paper towels, tea towel, resrve toilet paper) that most hosts provide. It makes the stay just that much easier.