First, the positives.
Mike was a great host, picking us up from the Lido pier and showing us around the apartment, then dropping us off to the pier on check out. He provided a map of the Venice Biennale for us, which was really thoughtful. Breakfast provisions including coffee, juice, yogurt, cheese and salami, toast and condiments were much appreciated. He was able to answer our questions about the area and was forthcoming in communicating with us online. He speaks English which was very helpful for us.
The Lido is a really lovely residential area with an interesting history and you could easily base yourself here for more than a few days. It is tranquil and pretty and offers a welcome respite from the crowds that descend on Venice in summer. There are charming restaurants and hotels there as well as the Lido beach which we would have loved to have explored had we not been busy visiting all the art events at the Biennale. The bus to the Lido pier leaves from the end of the street and is a frequent service, which is really convenient. Boat travel to and from the Lido was a pleasure!
The downsides:
The wifi was appalling and we were unable to do basic things like book flights or use email for much of our visit. We were told not to watch tv or movies which is fine and we abided by that rule but the internet was hopeless for even the basics! This caused alot of frustration throughout our stay.
The beds, particularly the king bed, had metal bed frames which were unbelievably creaky and the mattresses were so soft and sagging they actually sank in the middle. You couldn't even move in the bed without it creaking so loudly everyone in the next room could hear it!
There is no conventional shower. The bath has a hand-held shower hose attachment but it is mounted to the wall at waist height so you have to sit in the bath when showering or washing your hair, which is uncomfortable.
Everything else in the apartment was good.
I told Mike and Radiana in writing and then in person when my partner and I met Mike that we had two friends also staying, but when Mike met them the following morning he acted surprised. This must have been due to a language issue, and did not cause any problems.