Spa operator Banyan Tree has opened its first site in Malaysia in an exploratory move to assess the country's spa market.

The 22-treatment room spa at the Crowne Plaza, Mutiara hotel in Kuala Lumpur will operate under the group’s Angsana brand and will act as an indicator of the potential within the Malaysian spa market.

Banyan Tree has agreed a 20-year lease on the 1,000sq m (10,700sq ft) area and invested around $1m (£0.53m, 0.76m euros) in the construction of the spa.

Ho Kwon Ping, chair, said: “Making a relatively small investment through setting up a spa is one way for us to test the market.

“We see great potential for investment in Malaysia and have been in consultation with the relevant authorities and potential business partners in the country.

“The performance of Angsana spa in Kuala Lumpur and the degree of ease with which we operate it will help us make decisions on furthering our interests in Malaysia.”