LOVE! I have a butcher block countertop.

Servicers hate boxed-in laundry appliances and may charge more for repair jobs. Some may refuse to do service unless the homeowner removes the appliance for access. Keep in mind that proper diagnosis/testing to determine a problem and post-repair testing to confirm the fix requires the appliance be connected to power, and often water supply/drain for a washer. The machine would need to be taken to a garage or patio with water and electric available or to an off-site location if the boxing-in impedes power/water access in the laundry room with the machine pulled far enough out of the boxing for service.

Always best to make it removeable, Lyn's butcherblock is a great option. I just did one for a client where we used a butcher block 'island' top from lowes that came 3x6, we just had to shorten it slightly. Easy to remove when needed. I just did one in quartz for another client- I pity them when they need service ( I was told what to do not asked...)

I agree with @HALLETT & Co. I was considering doing a counter over mine. I was absolutely going to make it removeable (install support brackets on the walls and clips of some sort to the verticals).

The benefit to a counter is if you like to fold in your laundry room. Otherwise it's more aesthetic IMO.

We have a countertop over ours (black laminate), but they are not boxed in and are still pretty easy to access. i like it ok. however however, it is a weird height and does tend to become a place where crap accumulates. However, the crap accumulation is a result of my moral failings rather than the countertop’s.

I'm super excited to put one in! We're doing an inexpensive commercial "butcher block" (actually a piece of Ikea island countertop). We'll definitely make ours removable. For me, the key benefit other than a folding spot is to have an attractive, finished-looking space that can do double duty as needed. Our laundry machines will be in a nook in our basement rec room which will double as a guest suite, so I suspect this is where we'll set up a plug-in kettle/coffee pot for guests. The back corner might also end up being where we charge our lawn mower batteries.