Yeah... Definitively NOT better. 

it is Strange I agree with your findings 100% great - amazing new ideas - outside Mario Universe - neat and exquisite but for this very same reasons I cannot think it as the Best 3D Mario.

Like for Sunshine (of which we need an HD remake soon) it is extraordinary and a great pleasure to play.
It immerge you in its world - the best 3D Mario whilst you are playing them - but then not as much once you are away from them.

Does this make sense?

Loved the hell outta Mario 3d land and I'm very proud of my 5 shiny star profile in it, fantastic game and beautiful looking on the 3DS XL screen.

I'd still rank Mario64 Higher than it but... given that I can 120 star that now with my eyes closed 3d Land was a great distraction and definitely lived up to the Hype I had for it, shame what happened to the second game in the series, I would have liked to play that.

Edit - wait.... my heads fucked still from staying up watching Wrestlemania.... I've no idea OP I've never played it lol, Sorry! 3d Land is fantastic tho!