In JA's century, society was the more important things for young girls. Bath was one of the center of the society.

When Catherine Morland comes to Bath, she's very pleased, she loves all she sees, but JA makes a fun of her. Yet, I cannot see that JA disliked Bath, as I can see it in "Persuasion". She makes fun of society, not of Bath only. As for Catherine, she makes fun of her and Isabella, but doing this she makes fun of all young girls.

Clementa