Visited the Accademia, it is under restoration but the gallery is open. Also visited the Guggenheim. Liked them both. Would have liked to see the Ca' d'Oro and Doges Palace exhibits but couldn't deal w/ the crowds.
Didn't know about the hotel.
Murano and Burano were both nice for a combined daytrip, along with the Lido.
The wife and kids found the studios where they make genuine Venetian masks, did a little shopping there, if we get them home uncrushed they'll be fascinating wall art. Not sure exactly how to get them home, might end up buying a cheap hard-shell suitcase just for the masks. Otherwise we've resisted the shopping temptation.
I've become pretty fascinated with the water taxis. Have taken numerous photos, and am thinking about scratch-building a RC Venetian water taxi when I get home. They are hard-chine powerboats, so think I can mock up the hull from bent cardboard, then use that as templates to cut wood, soak, bend, wire, glue, etc a hull.
The real ones are wood or, if newer, fiberglass. But the hulls all look the same, ditto the basic cabin layout. Pics here
http://www.venetianwoodenboat.com/venetian_taxi_grp.htm
I've heard Apr-May is a good time to come.
Now I want to find some books by Donna Leon. Apparently murder mysteries, set in Venice.