What is 5-Star?

I never thought that I'd stay in a 5-star hotel. The nicest place that i've stayed in has been at the MGM Grand at Las Vegas, where they don't utilize the "star system." So I can't really say what is or isn't 5 stars. But when I was told that we would be staying at five star hotels in China, I was ecstatic for a few minutes only to be disappointed when we arrived. The Sheraton in Xi-an, supposedly 5 stars, reminds me of a Howard Johnson. Not that I'm putting down Howard Johnson (I stayed there one night in San Francisco and showered with a roach...twice), but if this is considered 5 star by China standards, never stay in a 3 star hotel. The beds sheets reek of cigarette smoke, the carpets are stained, cups aren't clean, mildew on the showers, and $10/hr for the internet. Although I will say that there is a woman that stands in front of the elevator and she stays there from morning to night. I guess that's where my $10 is going.