First Chair Bets on Ski and Coastal Properties for New Venture

6/3/2026

First Chair Destinations has launched as a vacation rental hospitality brand focused on ski and coastal markets in the United States, backed by Dallas-based private equity firm Paceline Equity Partners. Its initial portfolio includes about 3,500 homes acquired from Casago in December 2025, which were previously part of Vacasa’s managed inventory before Casago’s takeover of that company. Founded by former Wyndham and Vacasa executives, First Chair is positioning itself as a “local-first” operator in an increasingly centralized vacation rental industry. CEO Rishi Nigam says the company aims to deliver a differentiated experience for both homeowners and guests by tailoring operations to specific destinations such as mountain and beach markets, where lodging demand and operational complexity vary significantly. The company emphasizes embedded local teams with limited central oversight, supported by technology platforms like Streamline and Breezeway. Nigam describes the strategy as hospitality-led rather than tech-led, aiming to combine consistency across markets with strong local decision-making and identity.

PhocusWire (06/02/26) Cathy Walsh