When selecting a counter top we had a couple of conflicting interests.

Costs is an issue, value to the unit is a issue, but in the end, we have less than 6 feet on counter top with a 20" x 20" sink, and an extention of 16" on the other side.  So we could splurge on the cost side to add value to the unit and differential if we wanted with out blowing a budget.

However, after a lot of magazines, kitchen stores, and design shops and marble and granite sales rooms.  We decided on a formica top.

We were able to find one design that was unique and looked better than the normal formica.  We decided on style 271-46 Blackstone Etchings finish.

It has the look and texture feel of a stone, but at 25% of the costs it made sense.  

The decision maker was, we could have this installed the same week as the cabinets, if we chose stone or solid product, we would have to wait 1 to 3 weeks after the cabinets were installed. 

Given that we were without a kitchen for 4 weeks already, the extra 2 weeks were seen as a hassle we did not need.