Southern Utah is about my favorite part of the country for breathtaking amazing scenery.
Here's what I'd do:
1) To Moab Hampton Inn. Arches National Park
2) To Kayenta Hampton Inn (through Monument Valley. Pretty amazing place. The Kayenta Hampton Inn is one of the nicest I have ever been in. And Kayenta has the not-to-be-missed Amigo Cafe)
3) To St. George UT where there is both a Hampton and an HGI; both are nice properties.
4. To Richfield Utah (another Hampton) via Highway 12 through Escalante (
the NY Times has called this one of the most scenic drives in America and I concur).
5. Back to SLC
A link to a Google Map is
HERE