We stayed in Venice for 2nights 3 days just before the Valentines Day mad rush. We chose the Castello as the location seemed ideal and the hotel pictures made it look very authentic and traditional.
However our trip ended up costing us a small fortune. We had to get from the airport in a small transfer speed boat which was 90 euros each way. Then from there the driver drops you at the nearest landing platform to your hotel. At that point you are pointed in the general direction with no map or help lugging suitcases (make sure you have one with wheels so you can drag it around). It was pot luck we stumbled accross our little hotel which was down a 'back alley' type place. The alley was next to a fruit and veg seller who leaves garbage and boxes stood up where you have to walk. Not a nice smell! Then when you approach the main door there is grafitti in big blue letters opposite the entrance. The hotel inside was very authentic and typical italian, with local glass made chandeliers. The staff all spoke english and were very helpful. Our bedroom was quite large, though the shower room was very small. The door touched the sink when you walked in. The furniture was fine and there was a fridge. Although no kettle to make yourself a cuppa. The room was lovely and warm in the evenings, a good job really because you dont get a duvet only blankets.
On our first night we were looking forward to catching up on abit of sleep as we had done alot of travelling that day. We strolled out into the town for something to eat. We were accosted by almost every resteranteur trying to get us to stop and eat there. The thing was almost every restaurant sold the same foods! and offered us the same tourist 15 euro menus. We however we were hoping to find a quiet little place by the canal and grab an authentic carbonara. No chance im afraid not unless the both of you are wanting to eat it! Apparently they dont make it for 1 person????? We were suprised, surely italy is famous for pasta dishes?? Overall not that impressed with the variety of food in venice. Pizzas were quite good, there is a lovely bar just next to the hotel which has cool leather bean bags out side for you to chill out on. Service was great there and a young friendly team.
When we ventured back to the room at maybe 10pm we settled in and fell asleep nicely. To our suprise at midnight and at 7am the church bells were rung in the town. The hotel is very close and they are so loud it disturbs you. This happens daily. I guess it may help if the hotel actually had glass/double glazed windows, but they only have plastic perspex ones. I thought hotels came with glass windows as a standard? Not here....
You do also have a tiny balcony not that you can use it as its about a foot wide, perfect for the pigeons to rest and sleep and --- on. Which they did.
Also each morning around 6-7am the locals would start their daily routines which means they use big wooden carts to transport produce and supplies around on. These contraptions are quite heavy and when they are hurled accross the cobbles they make a loud banging and bumping noise. Our window overlooked the main alley where they all connect to the st marks square, so at times its gets very busy and noisy. No canal views.
This hotel was more like a B & B the standards are no where near what you would get in the UK.
We experienced a traditional gondola ride which we were also hounded into doing by the gondaliers, they seem to be stood on every corner trying to haggle with you to take a tour. Ours was about 80 euros which lasted 25 minutes. It was lovely to see the town from a different perspective but too expensive to do again. The gondaliers got on our nerves towards the end as they pester you all the time.
St Marks square was nice and the palace is amazing. Alot of scaffolding up at the moment and lots of construction happening though.
Pigeons everywhere which you can feed for 1 euro and get --- on millions of times.
Only 1 place to sit and have a coffee in which was not that good.
Another bad point and my last comment was the guys stood in the town at night trying to sell you cheap rubbish copies of louis vuitton, gucci and chanel etc handbags. Very poor quality. The police do look out for them and try keep them from pestering the tourists.
If you need any more info just email me.

Really loved the location - not far from St Marks Square, and the Bridge of Sighs.

The room was large but decorated in a very old fashioned style, bathroom small - shower only. We did not have a view, and I doubt there is a view to be had in this hotel, as you reach it through a back alley - which was a bit smelly.

But the room had air conditioning so all was forgiven.

A great hotel if you don't intend to spend much time in it (as you are in Venice why would you?)