Staying for three nights at Paola's apartment was a great experience. We were met at the Rialto Marcato Water Taxi station by four amazing women. (Paola, her Mother, Sister and Daughter. ) They took us a few hundred meters to the apartment which is really just too lovely to describe. It is well furnished and tastefully decorated. The location was incredible as it is right in the heart of the city. It has air conditioning which was wonderful as well and is right next to tons of places to shop. If you like lots of water pressure in the shower you may be disappointed but this was the only drawback. We did not want to leave. I think that if you are staying in Venice, this is a perfect place from which to enjoy the city.