New Vacation Rental Brand, First Chair Destinations, Debuts

A new hospitality brand offering vacation rentals in ski and coastal destinations has entered the market. 

First Chair Destinations is a new hotel and resort supplier founded by former Wyndham and Vacasa executives, including CEO Rishi Nigam, the former CEO of Urbain Hospitality Group and previous SVP of global corporate and strategic development with Wyndham Worldwide. 

Nigam noted that, with the vacation rental market expanding and becoming more generalized, this presented an opportunity for First Chair Destinations to create a product with that offers a “higher bar for care, consistency, and transparency for both guests and homeowners.” 

“Vacation rentals provide today’s traveler with space, flexibility, and privacy while also affording the ability to choose precisely where they want to be located. Travel advisors need lodging providers that offer their clients reliable consistency and deep local knowledge,” he told TMR. “First Chair Destinations provides travelers with a wide range of accommodations from excellent homes to full-service resorts, in iconic leisure destinations, backed by experienced local teams who know these communities firsthand and can help create truly seamless vacations for guests.” 

The debut portfolio includes about 3,500 homes across Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Vermont, Idaho, California, Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, all acquired from Casago in December 2025. The brand is built on providing great service and experiences in the country’s most sought-after destinations. 

“There’s a feeling that comes with being first on the lift or first to claim a spot on the beach,” Nigam said in a statement. “The day is fresh, full of possibilities, and a chance to chart your own course. That same sense of anticipation and reliability defines our approach: delivering experiences guests remember and homeowners trust every time.” 

First Chair Destinations is headquartered in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and will offer a fully bookable platform, insider tips and local perspectives, and stays backed by local teams who know the destination firsthand and provide personal touches. 

The company’s president and COO, Bob Milne, brings 30 years of experience to the new venture, including as the previous SVP of sales and operations at Vacasa, where he oversaw 34,000 homes in the Vacasa portfolio. He concluded:  

“We know what makes each place special because we’re part of it. That means we’re able to view hospitality through a more personal lens as we welcome guests and make  
them feel valued.”