Corian, Silestone etc are all wildly expensive. If you have the money and are staying somewhere for ages, they're pretty much bomb-proof and therefore good value. Most laminates now come in a close-to-square edge profile which looks more modern than they used to. Duropal would be my choice if going this route. Just avoid fake wood and stone finishes and go for a flat colour.
We had Silestone in our last house and it looked fantastic, not bomb proof though.
The lip above the dishwasher was covered in small chips (less than a mm) from putting pans in and out of the dishwasher below. It was not noticeable and did not detract but not bomb proof either.
Corian, Silestone etc are all wildly expensive. If you have the money and are staying somewhere for ages, they're pretty much bomb-proof and therefore good value. Most laminates now come in a close-to-square edge profile which looks more modern than they used to. Duropal would be my choice if going this route. Just avoid fake wood and stone finishes and go for a flat colour.