For a short term vacation rental I would use white Corian - durable & repairable. I voted for granite but that’s my second choice

how "dated" is the existing? what is it in other words? I like the white granite of the two above. I've rented with formica in places here and there..various continents and didnt bother me a bit. Much rather have comfy table/chairs/ lighting to read in the evening/ luxurious mattress etc.

shown: formica in the 180 fx series: in a way ....a drop in [dbl bowl sink] might be preferable in a vacat spot.... I remember getting take away food a lot.....never really filling up a dishwasher.... so dishwashing by hand w the 2 bowls can make sense. In my day to day life the dishwasher reigns.

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I’d consider a good quality non-white laminate. Maybe a salt-and-pepper design speckled with a lot of white in it. Or a butcherblock laminate if you are OK with the color, which will mask stains better. Something easily replaceable.

Corian will definitely scratch, and the more expensive options will get ruined by someone attempting to clean or repair it. Corian can be buffed out, but you’ll be doing it frequently.

People are going to throw stuff all over that countertop. Beach houses are party houses. I had butcherblock laminate for decades (not my choice design-wise), threw all kinds of stuff on it (grocery bags, clutter), and it looked good as new when I took it out. I even stood on it to paint the ceiling.

I appreciate all your responses (I’m sorry I don’t know how to directly reply to each person) and I do understand the recommendations for durable things like corian and butcher block. However, we really want (and need) a fairly high-end look for this unit. We’ve owned it since 2015 and the granite has held up fairly well but is a busy tan and black that I know was popular when we built our own home in 2007 and does not match with what we are trying to do design wise. My parents have had white corian since 1995 and it has a lot of scratches, and lacks a “wow” factor. I would love personal input on granite staining vs quartz heat damage, since these are things I would need to keep in mind.

I voted for quartz. I dont think anyone in their right mind would be putting anything directly from the stove onto the countertop because that's not something they would do at their own house. Just make sure you supply a few trivets and you should be fine with the quartz!

In that case, granite over quartz. That slab is stunning. I have no idea how it will hold up or can be repaired.

@cate erickson Au contraire, I ran very successful vacation rentals in my triplex near the beach and a lady contacted me asking for a new frying pan. I live right up front so I brought one back thinking the maids did something with the old one. I opened the gate to see the frying pan bonded to a plastic table in the yard. So...

Paul F., oh my goodness!!!!

Yep, never underestimate the cluelessness of people. I had a renter call and ask if they could put hot pots and pans directly on the counter top. I asked if they did that at their own home - nope so don't it in a rental. And BTW, that is why there is a large stack of cork trivets next to the stove.

Granite over quartz any day for a rental. As someone who has had rentals, people don't care when it is not their home. They do things they would never do in their own home but think it is okay when it is not.

Granite. It doesn't look fake like the quartz does.

Whatever you get, stage the place with trivets all over the counter.

Granite, you'll need to seal....and sealant can be scorched too. I would do quartz and get a hefty deposit. If it's a high end rental, those people are probably used to having granite/quartz etc and know not to cut or put hot things on it. Have a kitchen rules sign made and tag it somewhere in the kitchen.

Absolutely do not underestimate the lack of care people will take in a rental. Many of them will not be knowledgeable about what they should and shouldn't do on various surfaces (use knives, cut lemons, leave drippy wine bottles on the countertop overnight, set down pots of boiling whatever, hair curlers .... act accordingly