Just wanted to update this thread for future value to other people. The taxis at PEK wanted 650RMB to the Kapok Hotel near Tianamen. I tried to offer 100RMB and they tried to shuffle me towards an unmarked car with a "meter". Who knows what that would have cost. I ended up taking the airport express train, then transferring to line 2 then line 1 to Tianamen East. From there, it was 50RMB for a 5 minute taxi ride to my hotel (yes, I was ripped off).

If there's one thing I've learned on this 8 day trip to China, its that the info I come across on Flyertalk and other sources is mostly inaccurate. One must do their own research to best prepare themselves.