I'll break it down into segments:
1-Location: this resort is owned 100% by the government which means stricter rules, added costs for anything extra and limited food and drink options. It cost us $30 Cad for a Taxi ride into Varadero, for the price and time of this vacation we could have stayed in a much better resort, closer to the town. The beach for this resort is similar to any other beach in the area.
2-Price: We booked at the same time as two other friends, they booked through Trip Central for the same price, we booked through Air Transat. We were only offered the deluxe package but for the same price they were given the Alegance option. We didn't figure it would mean much, and truthfully it didn't. The food was the same, the service was the same, the only difference, I kept getting kicked out of their smaller pool and restaurant. Like literally kicked out, even though there was no more than 40 pple at this resort. Oct 9-16th.
3-Food: basic for all over Cuba, snack bar: ham and cheese, tomato pasta, sometimes hot dogs and hamburgers served with banana chips. The buffet wasn't open for dinner because there wasn't enough people. We had Italian or Mediterranean for dinner every night. Same food options: pasta, fish, pizza, chicken or pork, usually with some vegetables, rice and/or potatoes. I'm not fussy with my food so I could always find something to eat and not get sick.
4-Drinks: limited to rum, white wine, gin, beer.
5-Beach: was ok, some seaweed and steep drops in the sand at times. Lots of crabs, not a lot of shady areas. It was ok for us bc the resort was dead, but if it's busy there won't be enough for everyone. Depending on where your room is, it can be a bit of a hike to get to the beach.
6-Atmosphere: adults only was great but it was very tranquil, if your looking for lively activities, this isn't the place for you. There was only 2 dance shows and otherwise local singers or musicians in the lobby bar only, the disco was closed, no animation at the pool or beach, no shows in the theatre, too far to go into town for any liveliness. Lots of mosquitoes.
7-Staff: The ladies at the buffet, snack bar, beach bar and lobby bar were great. The lady running the Alegance restaurant is rude!!! Butlers in Alegance are useless. The bartender at Alegance pool asked me to leave two times, when I was just sitting on the lounge chairs. Didn't drink there, went in the pool just for a quick dip. No-one else was there except the four of us. My other deluxe friend wasn't kicked out, just me.
8-Rooms: basic and clean, my A/C stopped working my last night there, no hot water, had to get my toilet fixed the first night. Only two bath towels and two beach towels, no face or hand towels. I didn't see housekeeping all week, they were in my room only to make the bed, drop off water bottle and take away garbage. No replacement towels, I usually hang my towels to dry and reuse them anyway.
9-Check-out/in: They don't have a golf cart to get people around so expect to walk with your luggage to your room and up the stairs. Check-in was simple, night staff don't have ability to change your room, only day staff. My key card didn't work for 6 of the 7 nights I was there, had to keep getting a replacement. Other than Alegance, if you want a late checkout you would have to pay $11US per hour.
10-Overall: I've been to Cuba seven times, this was my second time to Varadero. I wouldn't recommend booking at this resort. It's more rundown than other resorts, there is no nightlife, while some staff were kind, others were extremely rude. Its very limited for activities or things to do in the evening. Food and Drinks are often limited throughout Cuba, but generally, the more common resorts that are partially owned by an Indian or Spanish conglomerate are better options for your stay. They have more knowledge in the tourism in industry.