I just did a total bathroom gut about a year ago in our rental property. One thing I learned the quality of tile as important as it is isn't nearly as important as the choice you make in mastic, grout and sealer.
Tile you are going to get what you pay for. The thing no one tells you is the mastic, grout and sealer are the three things that are going to keep the job looking good and holding together for the years to come so don't skimp on them. Take just as much time reading up on them as you do on your tile choices.

Mastic shouldn't be anywhere near a shower.

If you want easy and modern, there are a million porcelain options out there. Most lines carry various sizes of each type, so you can keep the same basic look but still have the flexibility to do contoured surfaces.