I say get what you want! I have read alot of commentary on wood countertops, and it is not a big issue to maintain them.

Love wood countertops. Have had them in 3 homes. Depending on how you choose to finish you do have some maintenance. I chose oil. At first, oiled them a couple times a month, but after a while just about 1 x a month. I found it relaxing. You might not! Some people put a permanent food safe finish. Can't speak to that--- not sure why it would require maintenance other than washing like other counters. I don't cut/chop on the wood counters... just treat them like any other counter and use a cutting board instead. Good luck!

p.s. I didn't have an island so hope my answer is helpful anyways :)

The decision depends on whether you want the countertop to look perfect or are you ok with scratches, dents and an imperfect surface? Do you plan to use it, or is an out of the way counter that will just be staged? I had a butcher block very large island and I really liked the warmth and contrast, but I did have it refinished every 5 years or so (big job) and protected with a clear lacquer. It was beautiful until it scratched. You really can’t view wood as just “washing like other countertops” because it is after all WOOD, not granite or another hard, polished surface. Wood and water are not friends.

-- my comment about washing like any other countertop was pertaining to a counter finished with a marine-type or other hard/water impervious finish. It would certainly be able to be washed the way I would wash any other counter, but perhaps others wash counters differently! As to the dents and imperfect surface, I agree, if perfection is the goal, wood might not be the answer :) And neither is marble. Or quartz, if you want to put a hot pot directly on it, or granite, if rough cast iron pans will be sliding across them :)

I love our wood topped island. This is our second one. The first one had a finish similar to any table top and we treated it like a table - just wiped it down with a damp cloth. Looked great for many years. Next island I decided to oil and I haven't been as happy with it. I do find it a pain to oil it constantly. I'm planning on sanding it down this summer and doing the same poly coating that I did on our previous island.

Grothouse offers a wood countertop with a lifetime warranty:

Grothouse Durata Finish

They were just featured on this season of This Old House. They are pricey, but well worth it.

Very helpful comment. Thanks! What is the coating you like?

Really beautiful! I just requested a quote from them