Wife and I are looking for a luxury resort near mountains where we can hike during the day then spa afterwards. Want to be able to eat good food and do some yoga also. We live in Chicago so needs to be a direct flight and when we land we don't want to drive for more than an hour or so to get to the resort. Thoughts?

Check out Blackberry Farms in Walland, Tennessee - about a 35 minute drive from Knoxville Airport. It's about a luxurious as you can get and still be in the Smokey Mountains. We had a great time there.

How about the Amanjani in Jackson? Not sure if there are direct flight from Chicago. Since Chicago is a major city, there might be.

Fairmount in Banff. I like Lake Louise more but it's another 1/2 hour further.

Devil's Thumb Ranch, Tabernash, CO

Gorgeous property, outstanding food and service

http://www.devilsthumbranch.com

Fly to Denver. Drive is about 1.5 hours. Or take Amtrak train to Fraser, CO, and the Ranch will pick you up.

My faves:

Enchantment Resort in Sedona, AZ
Tu Tu Tun Lodge in Gold Beach, OR
Miraval, Tucson, AZ
Rancho La Puerta, Tecate, Baja
Golden Door, Escondido, CA
Palmilla, Cabo
Four Seasons Jackson Hole, WY
Canyon Ranch, Tucson, AZ
The Brando, French Polynesia

Friends rave about Blackberry Farms..
Never been but its on the list, one day.

Sea Island Resort in GA is pretty spectacular and Kiaweh Island is next door and a nature preserve.