granite will always be the best.

I'm finally able to hire a contractor to do some improvements in my condo - a 600 s.f. 'mini loft' - including new countertops in the galley kitchen, which opens to the main living space. Never having looked into home improvements before, I couldn't believe all the choices for counter material! Marble, granite, corian, even some new high-tech compressed composites that can imitate stainless steel, bamboo, or concrete. It's not a lot of counter surface, so while the $/s.f. varies considerably I can probably go with something nice that I like. I personally would like an industrial or finely grained stone-look, like soapstone or poured concrete. But since this is also my nest egg for retirement I want to make sure it's a material that most people looking at the place to buy would like.

Suggestions?