We loved our stay at Paola's apartment! The location can't be beat--3 minute walk to the Rialto Bridge where you can catch a vaparetto to go (almost) anywhere! The bed was comfortable, the air conditioner worked great (had to replace batteries for the remote during our stay, but batteries were in a drawer), plenty of linens--albeit slightly older than what one might expect in a hotel, but in good condition, communication with Paola was excellent on every occasion when I reached out, and the size of the apartment felt more spacious than what we were expecting from the pictures.
The only downsides: 1) We decided to stay in and cook dinner one night and the only 2 knives were rather dull and difficult to slice vegetables and bread; 2) There was no lid for the large pasta pot (just an FYI) ; 3) The small refrigerator was adequate for our stay but the freezer could use a defrosting so that ice can be made and 4) We couldn't get the TV to turn on (it might have been something we weren't doing right...not sure) but hey, who comes to Venice to watch TV anyway, right?!?
Overall, though, we gave our review 5 stars because we had a GREAT experience in our first (but hopefully not our last) visit to Venice. As mentioned in other reviews, the apartment's location on a small canal is incredible...felt as if we could've reached down and snatched the hat off the head of a passing gondolier! Thank you, Paola, for everything! I would absolutely stay here again!!!