Here’s a concise comparison of the three well‑known hotels in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle — Jetwing Vil Uyana, Heritance Kandalama, and Cinnamon Lodge Habarana — with the strengths, tradeoffs, who each suits best, and quick booking tips.

Quick summary (one‑line):

• Jetwing Vil Uyana — small, high‑end eco‑sanctuary built around wetlands; very private and wildlife‑focused. (jetwinghotels.com)
• Heritance Kandalama — iconic Geoffrey Bawa design carved into the hillside; dramatic jungle/lake views and multiple pools; classic architectural experience. (en.wikipedia.org)
• Cinnamon Lodge Habarana — larger, family‑friendly resort set in 27 acres of lakes/woods; good value and convenient base for Cultural Triangle sites. (cinnamonhotels.com)

Location & access

• All three are in the Cultural Triangle area (Sigiriya / Dambulla / Habarana), making them convenient bases for Sigiriya Rock, Dambulla Cave Temple and safaris at Minneriya/Pidurangala. Jetwing Vil Uyana is in Sigiriya (close to the rock) and emphasizes seclusion; Heritance Kandalama sits against the hillside overlooking Kandalama Reservoir; Cinnamon Lodge is in Habarana, near lakes and village routes. (jetwinghotels.com)

Style & atmosphere

• Jetwing Vil Uyana: boutique (dozens, not hundreds, of dwellings) with handcrafted eco‑architecture, private paddy dwellings/pavilions and an emphasis on wetland restoration and wildlife watching — very peaceful and intimate. Best if you want an eco luxury, privacy and nature immersion. (jetwinghotels.com)
• Heritance Kandalama: large but designed to feel integrated with the jungle; celebrated modernist/tropical architecture (Geoffrey Bawa). Offers dramatic public spaces and scenic pools; can feel more “hotel” than a tiny ecolodge but with strong design credentials. Great if you care about architecture, big views and resort facilities. (en.wikipedia.org)
• Cinnamon Lodge Habarana: classic resort layout with many rooms, family facilities, multiple dining options and activities. Feels more mainstream/resorty and is often marketed as value‑for‑money in the area. Good for families and travelers wanting straightforward comforts. (cinnamonhotels.com)

Rooms & scale

• Jetwing Vil Uyana: small property with individual “dwellings” and suites designed around habitats — very private. (jetwinghotels.com)
• Heritance Kandalama: significantly larger (over 150 rooms/suites) with rooms designed to frame viewscapes. (en.wikipedia.org)
• Cinnamon Lodge Habarana: large resort (around 120–140 rooms depending on listing) with a mix of standard and suite categories. (hotel-board.com)

Facilities & activities

• Jetwing Vil Uyana: pool, small spa, guided nature walks, bicycles, birding, bespoke experiences in an ecological reserve — very nature/activity focused. (jetwinghotels.com)
• Heritance Kandalama: multiple pools (including an infinity pool), spa (Coco Spa), gym, guided excursions (birding, lake safaris), strong on architecture‑led experiences. (ahotellife.com)
• Cinnamon Lodge Habarana: pools, kids’ facilities, tennis, spa, multiple restaurants, family activities and excursions to local heritage/wildlife sites. (hotels.com)

Dining & service

• All three offer multiple dining options and Sri Lankan + international cuisine. Reviews vary (Heritance gets both high praise for views/ambience and some occasional complaints about service/maintenance depending on reviewers). Jetwing emphasizes curated dining and butler/personal service in a boutique setting; Cinnamon is more of a full‑service resort buffet/restaurant model. (Review impressions vary—check recent guest reviews for the travel dates you care about.) (jetwinghotels.com)

Wildlife & nature

• Jetwing Vil Uyana: built around recreated wetlands and habitats — excellent for birding and small wildlife; more of a sanctuary feel. (jetwinghotels.com)
• Heritance & Cinnamon Lodge: both sit near lakes/forest where you can expect birds, monkeys, occasional elephants nearby (especially late afternoon around reservoirs / Minneriya/National Parks). Heritance’s jungle setting and open views make wildlife sightings common. (ahotellife.com)

Price & value (general guidance)

• Jetwing Vil Uyana: typically among the more expensive options in the area per room/night due to small scale and boutique/eco positioning. (jetwinghotels.com)
• Heritance Kandalama: mid‑to‑upper range — you’re also partly paying for the architectural icon status and views. (en.wikipedia.org)
• Cinnamon Lodge Habarana: typically best value for families or budget‑conscious travelers who want full‑service resort facilities. (hotel-board.com)

Who should pick which

• Choose Jetwing Vil Uyana if: you want a quiet, high‑end eco‑experience, privacy, curated nature activities and don’t mind paying a premium for that intimacy. (jetwinghotels.com)
• Choose Heritance Kandalama if: you value iconic architecture, dramatic jungle/lake views, resort facilities and photographic settings — good for couples, design‑minded travelers and photographers. (en.wikipedia.org)
• Choose Cinnamon Lodge Habarana if: you travel with family, want practical resort amenities and activities, or want a more budget‑friendly full‑service base for exploring the Cultural Triangle. (cinnamonhotels.com)

Practical tips & booking advice

• Proximity: if visiting Sigiriya Rock early morning is a priority, Jetwing Vil Uyana and Heritance are slightly closer than Cinnamon Lodge (Habarana). Confirm exact transfer times from your arrival point. (jetwinghotels.com)
• Book early for high season (Dec–Mar and July–Aug for safaris/elephant‑gathering windows) — boutique rooms (Jetwing) sell out first.
• Read very recent guest reviews for the exact dates you plan to travel: large properties’ service/maintenance can vary over time (some reviewers praise Heritance highly while others report occasional upkeep/service issues). (Tripadvisor.com.my)
• If wildlife sightings (elephants near the lodge, rare birds) are a priority, ask the hotel about guided excursions and recent sightings — these change seasonally.
• If you want architecture/photography, request a room with reservoir/jungle views at Heritance; for private plunge pools and eco‑design, check Vil Uyana room types; for family suites, check Cinnamon Lodge’s suites. (jetwinghotels.com)

If you want, I can:

• Pull up current room types/rates and availability for specific dates (I’ll check the hotels/booking sites), or
• Make a tailored recommendation if you tell me your travel style (couple vs family), budget range, and which activities (Sigiriya climb, elephant safari, birding, spa, privacy) matter most.

Which one are you leaning toward and what are your travel dates?