Porcelain tile with a good slip co-efficient along with a urethane or epoxy based grout. This is a durable and easy to maintain flooring. For colder climates be sure to include radiant floor heating.

I agree with Design Builders- Porcelain tile is very durable and the most resistant to wear and tear especially if you use an epoxy based grout, like Spectraloc ( by Laticrete) . Radiant floor is great, but can be a bit more spendy.

We are fortunate enough to NOT need radiant floor heating here in Maui :-)
Bostik/QuartzLock makes an excellent urethane based grout. It has all the benefits of epoxy grout but is much easier to work with and there is minimal waste. It keeps in a sealed bucket for up to two years. Our tile installers are really appreciating our introduction of this great product. We learned of it through our NKBA affiliation.

We are waaay north (think Santa), no radiant heat in the floor, is tile still a good idea?

All the more reason to install an electric radiant mat under your new floor. A porcelain tile will be your best bet. With an 1/8" grout joint it will not matter if you use an epoxy, urethane or non sanded typical grout.

While non-sanded grout is fine for 1/8" grout joints, it requires sealing whereas urethane based and epoxy based grouts do not. If we are specifying natural stone tile, then a cementatious grout is fine as both require sealing. However, when installing tile that does not require sealing such as glass or porcelain then we specify grout that also does not require sealing. This is much more efficient and easier on the homeowner.

We just used a urethane grout on a glass tile backsplash. I am not really that sold on the material. It has the tendency to trap air much more than a cementitious grout. With a glass tile, this actually becomes visible through the edge of the tile. It is also substantially more expensive. It does offer some advantages in terms of bacteria, but from an aesthetic and install perspective I do see some drawbacks.

Oh no! We have never seen that issue with StarGlass and we use it frequently, although we have seen that issue with the non-sanded grouts. StarGlass is now call Dimensions but it is the same urethane grout made with tiny glass beads. The StarGlass must be well-stirred before using and then it is smooth and creamy, easy to get in between our narrow tile joints.

If you need help with choosing, and sourcing, the stone call us at New York Stone! 201-679-7031 ... we are here to help and please!

You would not see the issue with a tile like that. In a thicker back painted glass tile you can see through the edge of the tile into the grout. The viscosity of the grout traps the air bubbles that might not be obvious from the front, but are visible at an angle.