I don't doubt your experience. You might have high demand on standard for a property which is usually a bargain.

I did try a couple of rooms last stay before I settled in one with good aircon. The rooms were neither stinky or filthy. But they are average 4-star. Mosquitoes, really? Of course there are, on most places. But there are way to protect against them. You go to a restaurant in the area in the evening, you don't go in shorts 😂. I also sprayed the room every evening before I went out for dinner.

Just to clarify, Novotel Benoa is in a village,

The reason you come here is the beach and preferably off-season, not much motor sport then and the beach is as private as it can be in Balli. If you expect five star you pay for five star somewhere else, but the beaches somewhere else on Bali are likely not as secluded as Novotel Benoas - and this hotel have direct access to a beach. The beach front villas have especially excellent location.

If you walk down the Benoa beach you have hotels like Conrad, likely very comfy facilities etc, but also more crowd both in the facility and on the beach and also likely 3-times the room cost.