From London to Slovenia: Dominic’s story of Reviving The Premetovc
- Urška Cehner Gabrielse
- May 12
- 6 min read
Last September, Dominic Hatje left England for Slovenia with no fixed plan—only a long-abandoned inn near Škofja Loka and a belief that it still mattered. Empty for nearly twenty years, The Premetovc was brought back to life in just six months by Dominic and his wife Maria, transforming it once again into a place filled with people, music, and sense of belonging - community.
Nestled in the Poljanska Valley by the river, The Premetovc feels almost suspended in time. When we attended the restaurant’s opening, we were immediately struck by its warmth and energy. Surrounded by nature, it is easy to imagine wedding ceremonies, art workshops inspired by the stunning landscape and the clear colors of the flowing river, or quiet moments of inspiration unfolding here.
If Dominic is the driving force behind The Premetovc, Maria is its soul. Despite arriving in Slovenia without speaking the language, Dominic quickly built strong connections within the local community through his respect for the culture and natural ability to connect with people.
Book your stay or dinner at
Move to Slovenia - Their Journey
Here is his story of starting a new chapter in his life in Slovenia and reviving The Premetovc.
What let you from England to Slovenia?
The move to Slovenia came from a desire to build something long-term for my family — not just a business, but a way of living. I was drawn to a more traditional structure where different generations can stay connected and close, while still having their own space.
I’ve spent most of my life renovating properties and working in hospitality, so creating something like The Premetovc felt like a natural next step.I’ve never lived abroad before, so this was a big step, but it felt like the right time to do something meaningful and build something that could last.
How did you discover The Premetovc and what made you decide this was the place?
We had been searching for a while and actually tried to buy properties in Mojstrana and Radovljica, but both fell through.Marija kept looking, and one day this listing appeared. She went to see it in person and sent me photos. I could see straight away that it was something special. She confirmed that it felt just as good in real life as it did in the pictures.
By the time we found The Premetovc, we had already experienced a couple of failed purchases, so we were prepared for complications — but this time it was different.Everything moved smoothly. Once I made the offer, the process was straightforward and the sale went through without issues.It felt like the right property at the right moment.
From Pr’Premetovc to The Premetovc – you kept the title.
We wanted to honour the existing history of the place. The name Premetovc has been part of this site for a long time, and it felt important to keep that continuity rather than replace it.We weren’t looking to rebrand or start from scratch — the aim was to preserve what was already here and build on it. Keeping the name reflects that approach and our respect for tradition.
Pr’Premetovc History
The building dates back to the early 19th century, with an engraved beam from 1820 marking its origins. According to its last Slovenian owner, Vladimir Ahlin, the property came into the family through his great-grandfather Anton Ahlin, a hardworking yet cunning man known as Premetenc—likely the source of the name Premetovc. The inn was passed down through generations, remaining a roadside stop for travelers between Gorenjska and Primorska. In the 1990s, Vladimir attempted to revive it, working with architect Matjaž Krajnik and opening the renovated inn with his partner Andrea Peters. Despite their efforts, the inn never fully came to life and eventually fell silent again.
Did you feel at that moment Slovenia was the right decision?
Slovenia itself played a big part in that feeling. The fresh air, the snow, the mountains—and the ease of life. No traffic jams, everything within reach. But more than anything, it was the people. Warm, patient, welcoming. Even without speaking the language, I felt accepted with open arms—more at home, in many ways, than I ever did in London.
Finding a place like this here felt like a rare opportunity—one that would be almost impossible to come across in England. And perhaps part of its magic lies in the fact that Slovenia is still relatively undiscovered. It keeps its charm that way. Right in the heart of Europe, yet still quietly its own.
How did you connect with local community so quickly?
I think it was a combination of factors, but I remember the moment I first really noticed it. My phone data had run out, so I went to the local gym, Asfit, to use the WiFi. I was immediately welcomed, and it was clear very quickly that people were open, friendly, and willing to help.That experience set the tone for everything that followed. In Slovenia, there’s a natural sense of community — people look out for each other and take the time to connect. It feels very neighbourly.Coming from London, that stood out to me. In London, community often has to be built intentionally, and many people are focused on their own routines. Here, the connection feels more immediate and natural, and that made it much easier to settle in.
Your link with Slovenia began years ago in London, when on the white slopes of The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead you met Maria. Tell us more.
It was the passion for skiing which brought us together. We wanted to go skiing as soon as possible in Slovenia, but as we met in the Summer, my first experience of Slovenia was for hiking. And I ended up working with Marija in her garden in Slovenia. Mowing the lawn and cladding the garden shed. We joked that this would become my ‘man’s shed’ eventually. Maria, my wife, comes from a hospitality background as well—she’s a designer and photographer—so it felt natural to combine our skills and experience and take on a new challenge together. In many ways, the move to Slovenia happened because of her.
Expat Experience
What was harder than you expected and what easier compare to your experience in England?
One of the more challenging parts was setting up the d.o.o. The process is quite involved, especially as a foreigner, and there are details that aren’t always obvious at the start.I was very fortunate to have help from Igor and his wife Loredana, who supported me through it. Without their guidance, it would have been much more difficult.On the other hand, once we took over the property, certain things felt easier than expected — particularly the way people were willing to step in and help. That made a big difference during the early stages.
Dreams are expensive, but the regret is worse. (Dominic Hatje)
Are you in contact with British community and did you know about british buying houses in Prekmurje years ago and restoring them?
I was aware that some British buyers had restored properties in parts of Slovenia, but it’s something I’ve come to understand more through meeting people rather than before arriving.
When I first arrived, a gentleman called Steve, who lives in Žiri, came by and offered help straight away. He and his wife Nina have been living in Slovenia for many years, so that was a great introduction. Interestingly, Steve also knew my Slovenian teacher, Maruša Penn, which made the connection feel even more natural.I still travel regularly between Slovenia and England, and I often meet other expats doing the same. A two-hour flight becomes quite a unique place to connect — you meet people who’ve made a similar decision to build a life here.
What advice would you give to fellow expats considering a similar move?
My advice would be to build a support network as early as possible. Reach out to people who are already living in Slovenia — those relationships make a huge difference. We’ve achieved a lot here, but it wouldn’t have been possible without the support and kindness of others.It’s also important to understand the practical side before you arrive. Look carefully into how you will arrange your temporary residency. If you’re coming from the UK, you’re limited to 90 days without the correct documentation, so it’s something you need to plan properly in advance.Patience is key. Things can sometimes take longer than you expect, but that’s part of the process. Staying positive and flexible makes a big difference.And finally, learning Slovenian is a very good idea. It helps you integrate and shows respect for the culture — but with the right support around you, it’s possible to find your way even in the early stages.
To be continued
Dominic has a quiet graciousness and modesty that resonates with local people. This Englishman, far from home, took on the courage, curriosity and challenge to bring back to life a unique historic building The Premetovc in Slovenia. Today, it is more than a restoration. Kevin McCloud, from the British TV series Grand Designs would say: ‘’This is a place made for reflection, where a new story has been created by transforming a forgotten building into a home and a living community. ‘’
Comments