Laminate floors doesn't always need to look like "laminate" floor. The better the quality the better the appearance and the more realistic the floor will look. Laminate flooring is extremely durable and scratch resistant but it does have its drawbacks.
Laminate flooring will also come in at a much better price point then if you were buying hardwood flooring, however its does not deal with moisture or water very well. Ideally you would need to make sure you maintain relative humidity year around to avoid having issues with the floor. Feel free to contact us for more info on maintaining a laminate floor and how to avoid having issues once installed.