US-based day spa operator Red Door, part of the Elizabeth Arden group of companies, is preparing to enter the spa market in India, with Mumbai as the first city being targeted.

The company is aiming to open in all major cities in India.

According to Red Door chief creative officer, Cornelia Zicu, the first spa will open early in 2011.

It will be the company's first facility in Asia and packages will be "fine-tuned to suit the Indian climate."

Red Door Spas currently operates 31 spas in the US and is owned by Red Door Spa Holdings (RDSH).

RDSH is a privately-held company backed by North Castle Partners, a private-equity firm specializing in investments in the healthy living and aging sector.

RDSH licenses trademarks from the publicly-traded fragrance and cosmetics company, Elizabeth Arden, and is a separate corporate entity.