Marble is fine for a kitchen. Sealing will help with staining but will not do anything for etching.

Have the marble sealed to prevent staining, Learn to live with the etching. I kind of dig etchings. They usually can only be seen from a certain angle, and they tell a story of a well-used, well-loved counter.

If I were getting marble, I’d have them honed. Etching is much less noticeable on honed marble. Had I not gotten soapstone for my kitchen, I’d have gone with marble.

I love my marble countertops! Mine are honed, sealed, and have minimal etching thus far. That said, I live alone and take care of them to prevent stains and etching- I would not want to be the countertop police if I lived with family, lol!

If you want it to look perfect (not etch or stain), then don't get marble. Even if you take care of it, you will get etch marks and stains over time. And scratches, because marble is softer than the other options.

The general theme in posts where people are happy with their marble countertops is that they don't mind the patina they develop over time. The people who are unhappy either don't want to maintain their countertops (totally fair, there are plenty of options for them) or want them to always look the same as the day they were installed.

Some quartzites will also stain easily, others are just extraordinarily expensive (cristallo). Granite can be great if you find one you love the look of (some of the whiter ones can stain easily or chip easily).

It will come down to you being realistic about yourself and your expectations.

I have honed marble. It has only been sealed once 6 years ago and it has never stained. Etches are everywhere. You have to be ok with that. I would choose it again. I love it!

" Even if you take care of it, you will get etch marks and stains over time."

Marble treated with MORE Anti-Etch does not etch.