Just came back from a quick trip to DV (Mid-May) and was completely blown away by the awesomeness. The weather was surprisingly mild and it actually rained while we were touring the salt flats.
For cheaper accommodations I'd recommend staying in Beatty, NV and heading out to the Valley from there. The Motel 6 there is pretty nice (rooms have been updated), fairly cheap ($60-70) and is right next to a gas station (fill up before hitting the desert!!). It's also next door to a Denny's that's nestled inside a casino.
On the way to the National Park you can make a pit stop at Rhyolite - a pretty neat ghost town with building ruins. Be sure to stop by the graveyard that's hidden down a dirt side road!
All in all, Death Valley is well worth a trip out west. Beautiful views, open skies and of course... The dry heat ;)