i like stainless. they go with everything.

White looks clean and fresh. Appliances don't last as long as they used to, so you ought to buy what you prefer to look at, unless you expect to move within 5 years.

I would normally say stainless steel but since you are in a beach cottage, white would look the best with those beach colors!

Depends on what your cabinets are. Everyone is gaga over stainless, but I think they stick out like a sore thumb in an off-white or white kitchen as well as kitchens with really dark cabinets. Or consider a panel-ready dishwasher and refrigerator, and they'll blend it in with your cabinets = no decision needed!

White ice !

At a beach house I would do white, you want to try to avoid rust for as long as you can.