Here’s a clear, side‑by‑side comparison of Cinnamon Wild Yala vs Hilton Yala to help you choose—followed by quick recommendations based on travel style.

Summary (quick)

• Cinnamon Wild Yala: a larger (about 68 rooms) safari‑lodge style property with jungle & beach chalets, focused on close wildlife experiences and themed “dine in the wild” activities. (cinnamonhotels.com)
• Hilton Yala Resort: a newer, smaller luxury resort (around 41–42 rooms, including suites and pool villas) with full resort facilities (spa, fitness, multiple restaurants) and curated, higher‑end safari packages; it’s sited on the edge of Yala and advertises very short transfer times to the park. (hilton.com)

Location & safari access

• Both are in the Palatupana / Yala area (good bases for Yala National Park). Cinnamon Wild is in Palatupana and very close to the park; guests report wildlife right around the property. (cinnamonhotels.com)
• Hilton emphasizes it’s about a 5‑minute drive to the park entrance and offers organized safaris (multiple entrance options and full/half‑day packages). If a short drive to a specific park gate and an on‑site concierge for safaris are priorities, Hilton highlights that service. (hilton.com)

Rooms & style

• Cinnamon Wild: safari‑chalet design (jungle chalets, beach chalets), rustic‑luxury vibe that emphasizes immersion in nature (elephants and other wildlife seen near rooms/pool). Suited to travelers who want the “in‑the‑wild” feel. ~68 rooms. (cinnamonhotels.com)
• Hilton Yala: contemporary, “safari‑chic” resort with deluxe rooms, suites and private pool villas, modern amenities (spa, fitness), larger emphasis on resort comfort and service. ~41–42 rooms/units. (hilton.com)

Amenities & experiences

• Cinnamon Wild: pool, several dining venues (buffet/main restaurant, rooftop bar), special experiences (champagne breakfast on the beach, “dine in the wild”), guided nature activities. Emphasis on wildlife encounters at the property. (cinnamonhotels.com)
• Hilton Yala: multiple restaurants, full spa, fitness centre, curated safari packages (with guide/jeep, different park gates and private/full‑day options), sustainability/conservation initiatives highlighted in coverage. Hilton also lists airport transfer/seaplane options. (hilton.com)

Crowd, privacy & scale

• Cinnamon Wild (more rooms) can feel livelier and more “lodgey.” Good if you enjoy a social lodge atmosphere and lots of activities. (cinnamonhotels.com)
• Hilton (fewer rooms, villas) will generally feel quieter and more private — a typical choice for honeymooners or guests wanting more resort privacy and higher‑end amenities. (hilton.com)

Price positioning (general)

• Hilton is positioned as an international luxury brand property (likely more expensive on average and with villa/pool‑suite options). Cinnamon Wild is upscale but leans more into safari‑lodge value for the experience. (If you want exact nightly rates for specific dates I can check current prices.) (stories.hilton.com)

What people commonly praise / complain about

• Cinnamon Wild: praised for wildlife encounters (even from the property), atmosphere and themed dining; some reviews note rooms can be compact and it’s a true “in‑wild” experience rather than a classic resort. (tripadvisor.com)
• Hilton Yala: praised for modern design, service, spa and curated safaris; it’s new and marketed with sustainability/ethical safari messaging. Reviews are generally positive but expect resort‑level prices. (tripadvisor.com)

Which to choose (short guidance)

• Choose Cinnamon Wild Yala if: you want an immersive “in‑the‑wild” safari lodge feel, enjoy seeing wildlife near your room, and prefer a property built around the safari experience. (cinnamonhotels.com)
• Choose Hilton Yala if: you want a newer, more polished resort experience (spa, private pool villas, international brand standards), prefer quieter/luxury accommodation and easy, concierge‑handled safari logistics. (hilton.com)

If helpful, I can:

• Look up current room types, availability and exact nightly prices for specific dates (I’ll need your travel dates), or
• Pull recent guest review summaries for each hotel (last 12 months) to show trends.

Which would you like me to do next?